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In 1968, John Harms, summer organist and choir director at St. Mary's-by-the-Sea in Northeast Harbor
on Mount Desert Island in Maine, brought a few professional singers from New York for a weekend to
join a group of singers from the Island in a performance of Rossini's Stabat Mater, with
Allen Sever accompanying at the organ. This idea proved popular enough to repeat annually, and
it quickly became a tradition.
In 1982, when George Emlen became director, he soon expanded the Chorale's scope and vision
by performing with an orchestra, allowing audiences to hear these masterworks in all their
instrumental as well as vocal splendor. Emlen also introduced the idea of giving concerts both
at St. Mary's and at St. Saviour's in Bar Harbor.
Upon George Emlen's retirement in 1999, the Chorale incorporated as a not-for-profit organization
and formed a Board of Directors, appointing David Schildkret as Music Director. Schildkret has
continued the tradition of presenting major works and has expanded the usual collaborations with
musicians from the Bangor Symphony to other ensembles, including the Eden Children's Chorus,
members of the Brass Week faculty, and soloists from the region. Students from
Mount Desert Island High School regularly sing with the choir as Al and Eva Meyer Scholars.
The Mount Desert Summer Chorale is a remarkable and perhaps unique cultural institution:
while most choruses disband for the summer, ours comes to life the last week of June.
In seven short weeks, rehearsing once a week, the Chorale develops into a cohesive artistic whole.
Chorale members are both year-round and summer residents who sing
in other choruses during the winter and bring a wealth of choral experience with them.
In a community with a rich musical life, especially in the summer, the Chorale holds a very
special place.
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