Sun, Oct 19th - Of Beatitudes and Fire
Sunday, October 19th at 3pm
Bowdoin College Chapel
Tickets $25 - suggested donation.
Ticket reservation at amethystchamberensemble@gmail.com
Join the Amethyst Chamber Soloists, the Amethyst Project, organist Sean Fleming and cellist Ben Noyes for an inspired and transcendent afternoon of sacred music, featuring masterworks that span centuries of spiritual expression. At the heart of the program is Arvo Pärt’s serene and luminous The Beatitudes, alongside the haunting beauty of Allegri’s Miserere, a choral masterpiece steeped in Renaissance tradition.
The ladies of Amethyst will take center stage in Francis Poulenc’s Litanies à la Vierge Noire, a fervent and mystical invocation for women’s choir and organ. Complementing these works are the chants of Hildegard von Bingen—including vibrant, rhythmically charged selections such as Sed Diabolus—and contemporary echoes from Janika Vandervelde, weaving ancient and modern threads of devotion and energy. Rounding out the concert will be musical selections by Maurice Duruflé, Morten Lauridsen and Pablo Casals.
This is a concert that moves between stillness and fire—celebrating the sacred with music both contemplative and boldly alive.
Sat, June 7th - Serenade to Music
Saturday, June 7th at 7pm
Bowdoin College Chapel
Tickets $25 - suggested donation.
Ticket reservation at amethystchamberensemble@gmail.com
Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music is a radiant celebration of musical beauty, weaving 16 soaring vocal lines with lush musical textures. With its shimmering harmonies and heartfelt lyricism, Serenade to Music creates a dreamlike atmosphere, evoking reverence and wonder. Deeply expressive and uplifting, it remains one of Vaughan Williams’ most beloved works, a luminous tribute to the transcendent power of music.
Join the Amethyst Chamber Soloists and Amethyst Project for a beautifully evocative celebration of the summer night in the Bowdoin College Chapel. The program features Barber’s Sure on This Shining Night, Berlioz’s Nuits d’été, Margaret Bonds’ Three Early Songs, and Debussy’s Beau Soir, culminating in Vaughan Williams’ luminous Serenade to Music.
Featuring:
Mary Sullivan, Molly Harmon, Michele Kennedy, Caroline Koelker, soprano
Joelle Morris, Jenna Guiggey, Sarah Tuttle, mezzo-soprano
Jonas Rimkunas, David Meyers, Jesse Wakeman, tenor
Josh Miller, Jonathan Scott, baritone
Sean Fleming, Randy Day, Morgan Lee, piano
Katherine Liccardo, violin
Ben Noyes, cello
And members of the Amethyst Project Singers
Mon. May 12 - May Salon
A night at the Opera (and Cabaret)
Monday, May 2th at 7pm
Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick
Where have all the Italians gone, you ask? Well, right here!
Puccini, Verdi, Pergolesi – along with Bizet, Strauss, Weill, and the masses of fun, edgy, romantic, & virtuosic selections from the world of Opera and cabaret – hold on to your hats, here we come!
The monthly series located at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Songs at Curtis brings together the worlds of art songs and chamber music, with a vision to showcase the vast repertoire of poetry set to music, featuring local professional singers and instrumentalists.
Free and open to the Public. Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, ME
More information on our Salons page.
Tue. April 29 - April Salon
The Heat of Passion: An evening of Spanish & Russian Song
Monday, April 29th at 7pm
Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick
From Europe's steamiest south to its frozen north, passion runs deep. Join us to explore this gorgeous music, rich with Arab, African, and Slavic influences.
The monthly series located at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Songs at Curtis brings together the worlds of art songs and chamber music, with a vision to showcase the vast repertoire of poetry set to music, featuring local professional singers and instrumentalists.
Free and open to the Public. Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, ME
More information on our Salons page.
Sat. April 5th - In a Soprano Hue
We are thrilled to reschedule this postponed concert to April 5th!
In a Soprano Hue: Folk Influences in Art Song
A fresh take on the art song recital, In a Soprano Hue reimagines the genre through a new lens. For this second installment, the ladies of Amethyst Chamber Ensemble delve into the rich repertoire shaped by folk influences in classical music.
Manuel de Falla’s Siete canciones populares españolas transforms Spain’s regional folk melodies into sophisticated art, with piano accompaniments that amplify their infectious rhythms and charm. Similarly, Canteloube’s Chants d’Auvergne brings to life the spirit of French rural life with richly orchestrated folk songs, featuring lullabies, love laments, and festive tunes in the traditional Occitan language.
Benjamin Britten’s Folk Song arrangements for voice and guitar stand out for their imaginative and deeply personal approach, unbound by conventional ideas of authenticity. In contrast, Libby Larsen’s Songs From Letters, inspired by Calamity Jane’s correspondence to her daughter, offers a dynamic and fiery showpiece for soprano and piano.
Amethyst Chamber Ensemble celebrates the incredible depth and versatility of vocal talent here in Maine. Join us for this gorgeous and spirited program, where folk traditions meet classical artistry.
Featuring:
Molly Sullivan, Molly Harmon, and Caroline Koelker, soprano
Joëlle Morris, Jazmin DeRice, and Jenna Guiggey, mezzo-soprano
Paul Kneller, classical guitar
Randy Day, piano
Tickets: $25, Students Free.
Tickets can be reserved in advance at amethystchamberensemble@gmail.com
Mon. March 31 - April Salon
Oh là là…! An evening of French Song
Monday, March 31st at 7pm
Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick
From the Renaissance through present day, the French gift for melody and deep, sensuous harmonies continues to fascinate. Solos, duets, and ensemble selections, opera, cabaret, and art song – truly an evening of delights.
The monthly series located at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Songs at Curtis brings together the worlds of art songs and chamber music, with a vision to showcase the vast repertoire of poetry set to music, featuring local professional singers and instrumentalists.
Free and open to the Public. Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, ME
More information on our Salons page.
Sun. March 16 - Wachet Auf!
"Wachet auf!", or "Awake, the voice calls to us", is one of the most beloved hymn tunes of all time. Written by pastor, poet, and composer Phillipp Nicolai in the 16th century as a "Mirror of Joy" in a time of plague and loss and fear, it gives us inspiration and hope still today.
Our concert, for voice, vocal ensemble, and organ, follows the tune from its inspiration in a tune by Meistersinger Hans Sachs, through the Nicolai hymn, to its culmination in selections from the magnificent Bach Cantata 140; and later, as it inspired Mendelssohn, Wagner, Hugo Distler, and on to the present day.
Featuring the professional vocalists of the Amethyst roster, the Amethyst Project singers, and the magnificent organist Sean Fleming, join us for Distler's strangely beautiful and playful "Wachet auf!" motet, Theodore Best's extraordinary organ transcription of the overture to Mendelssohn's St. Paul, the Distler "Wachet auf" partita, and even a brief chorus from - yes - Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg".
Sunday, March 16, 4pm
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brunswick
Suggested donation $15
Ticket reservation at amethystchamberensemble@gmail.com
This Amethyst concert event is graciously hosted and offered by St. Paul's Episcopal church. Proceeds to benefit St. Paul's Outreach Programs.
Tue. Feb 18th - February Salon
Homegrown: An evening of American Song
Join us as we delve into the rich musical heritage of American and African American music, spanning from early American compositions to contemporary works by living composers.
The monthly series located at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, brings together the worlds of visual art and music, with a vision to showcase the vast repertoire of poetry set to music, featuring local professional singers and instrumentalists.
Free to the public. More info at amethystchamberensemble.com
Mon. Jan 13th - January Salon
Nachtmusik: An evening of German Song
Monday, January 13th at 7pm
Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick
We're kicking off 2025 with delightful evening, illuminating the surprising beauty of the German language in song. Featuring sweeping melodies of Brahms, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Mahler, Strauss and more…
The monthly series located at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Songs at Curtis brings together the worlds of art songs and chamber music, with a vision to showcase the vast repertoire of poetry set to music, featuring local professional singers and instrumentalists.
Free and open to the Public. Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, ME
More information on our Salons page.
Dec 27, 28 & 29 - A Ceremony of Carols & other seasonal tunes
Prolong the festivities to enjoy Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols & other seasonal tunes.
Featuring the Amethyst Project Singers, anchored by the professional singers of the Amethyst Chamber Ensemble, harpist Virginia Flanagan and organist Sean Fleming.
$15 suggested donation
Students/children FREE
FRIDAY, Dec 27th at 7:00 PM
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
11 Glidden St. Newcastle, ME
SATURDAY, Dec 28th at 4:00 PM
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
678 Washington Ave, Portland, ME
SUNDAY, Dec 29th at 2:00 PM
St. Paul Episcopal Church
27 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME
Mon. Dec. 9th - December Salon
Yuletide: Songs of the Season and Carol Sing
All (well, lots anyway) of the carols and all the chestnuts, and a fresh take on a couple of old favorites. And a tiny taste of Messiah. Carol books will be provided, hum along, bellow lustily, or just listen and enjoy!
The monthly series located at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, brings together the worlds of visual art and music, with a vision to showcase the vast repertoire of poetry set to music, featuring local professional singers and instrumentalists.
Free to the public. More info at amethystchamberensemble.com
Sun. Nov 10th - Chansons d'amour
Join us for a lovely afternoon of chamber vocal music with
with GRAMMY nominated baritone Aaron Engebreth,
and
Joëlle Morris, mezzo-soprano
Laura del Sol Jiménez, flute
Ben Noyes, cello
Randy Day, piano
Featuring
Chansons Madécasses – Ravel
Don quichotte à dulcinée – Ravel
Let us Garlands Bring- Finzi
Chanson d’amour - Amy Beach
Piano Trio in G - Debussy
Tickets: $25 suggested donation
Wed. Oct. 30th - October Amethyst Salon
Join us to our spooktacular October Salon at Curtis on Wed. Oct 30th at 7pm!
From the spooky to the profound, we celebrate mortality and the great transition, our connection to those who came before us, and those who have gone beyond.
The monthly series located at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, brings together the worlds of visual art and music, with a vision to showcase the vast repertoire of poetry set to music, featuring local professional singers and instrumentalists.
Free to the public. More info at amethystchamberensemble.com
Sun, Sept 22 - Amethyst at Searsport
The professional singers and instrumentalist of Amethyst Chamber Ensemble offer a program of gorgeous melodies, French jazz, and piano four-in hands fireworks!
Sunday, Sept. 22, at 3 p.m., at the First Congregational Church in Searsport.
Appearing in a vocal quintet form, the ensemble will feature music of Brahms, Mozart, Debussy, Faure, Bernstein and others.
The concert is a free will offering. Proceeds go toward furthering the outreach concert series to the wider community.
More information can be found at searsportfcc.org
Sun, April 21 - Salut Printemps!
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Warm German Concert Series
Come indoors to the lovely, warm space at Curtis Library’s Morrell Meeting Room on three Sunday afternoons this winter and spring – and enjoy gorgeous melodies and beautiful poetry set by Brahms, Schumann, Mahler, Wagner, and Richard Strauss.
Songs, duets, and trios, along with piano and four-hand piano selections on the lovely [make and model of the piano here] at the library. Get to know each of the composers individually, through a selection of their most beautiful vocal works.
Along with the music, enjoy musical, historical, and biographical information about our composers and their time, researched and presented by the musicians in the friendly and informal style of Amethyst performance offerings.
Commencing our Sunday concert series on Sunday, January 28th at 4pm, we will delve into perennial favorites by Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann, along with the delightful Lieder contributions of Clara Schumann. The journey continues to encompass the lush and sweeping melodies of Richard Wagner, as well as the evocative works of Gustav and Alma Mahler interpreted by soprano Sarah Tuttle and mezzo-soprano Joëlle Morris on Sunday, February 25th, at 3 pm.
The final installment of our German series will conclude with the exquisite lieder by Richard Strauss with Mary Sullivan, Joëlle Morris and Molly Harmon on Sunday, March 17th at 3 pm.
Suggested donation: $15. Students and children free.
Ceremony of Carols
The Ladies of the Amethyst Project, anchored by the professional singers of the Amethyst Chamber Ensemble, perform Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and other seasonal tunes.
Come hear this gorgeous and inspiring music performed by a small vocal chamber ensemble, in some of the most beautiful churches in Maine. A pre-concert talk on ancient tunes and texts, starting 15 minutes before each performance.
THURDAY, Dec 28th at 7:00 PM
Episcopal Church of St. Mary, 43 Foreside Rd, Falmouth ME
Suggested donation $15, students and kids FREE
FRIDAY Dec 29th at 7:00 PM
St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 11 Glidden St. Newcastle, ME
Suggested donation $15, students and kids FREE
SATURDAY Dec 30th at 4:00 PM
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 678 Washington Ave, Portland, ME
Free and open to the public; an offering by the community of St. Peter’s
Sun, Oct 27 - In a Soprano Hue
A fresh take on the art song recital, In a Soprano Hue offers art song through a new lens. From the rarely performed Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs) of Richard Strauss, through music of Rodrigo, Fauré, Bernstein, and living American composers Rosephanye Powell, Dan Sonenberg (world premiere), and Steven Finch, we explore art song through the unique vocal colors and artist gifts of the singers in our ensemble.
Featuring the women of the Amethyst Chamber Ensemble:
Mary Sullivan, Molly Harmon and Caroline Koelker,soprano
Joelle Morris, Jazmin DeRice and Jenna Guiggey, mezzo-soprano
Randy Day, piano
$25 tickets at the door or pay-as-you-can. Free to children and students.
