Sheepscot Chorus invites new membership as it prepares to sing Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms" as part of "Many Voices, One Dream," a concert celebration of diversity to mark the nation's 250th anniversary. The Chorus will perform works by American composers representing varied cultures and backgrounds.

The Chorus resumes rehearsals Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m., at the First Congregational Church in Wiscasset, next to the Wiscasset District Court. Rehearsals will continue on Tuesdays in preparation for the concerts on April 11 and 12. Singers who’d like to join can register to sing by sending an email with your voice part to join@sheepscotvalleychorus.org. For more information, visit facebook.com/sheepscotchorus or sheepscotvalleychorus.org.

Sheepscot Chorus rehearsals are high-energy and challenging, according to the Chorus, in a news release.

"We work hard," says Blanchard, "but we keep the rehearsals upbeat and fun." Chorus members range from newly-minted singers to seasoned performers. We provide practice materials to use at home, so singers can come to rehearsal feeling prepared and ready to go!"

According to the news release, in early December 1963, Leonard Bernstein received a letter from the dean of the Cathedral of Chichester in England, requesting a piece for the Cathedral’s 1965 music festival. The dean wrote, "Many of us would be very delighted if there was a hint of West Side Story about the music." Bernstein composed his "Chichester Psalms" in Hebrew, selecting Psalms expressing a plea for peace. Written for chorus and treble soloist, the work uses music that was written for the prologue of West Side Story but was dropped early on. Critic Howard Klein wrote that Chichester Psalms was "at once a lovely, enchanting work and a noisy, exciting one."