Singers specialize in harmony

So you thought Barber Shop Quartet singing was all about men. Then you’re not familiar with the Royal River Chorus, a group of about 35 women from southern, central and mid-coast Maine who draw large audiences at community events such as the Yarmouth Clam Festival.

An affiliate of Sweet Adelines International, the Royal River Chorus performs many of its shows at the Freeport Performing Arts Center, and they’[re hoping for one there in April. They rehearse every Thursday night at the American Legion Hall in Westbrook, and have a show upcoming on Feb. 9 at Scarborough High School. Tickets are a suggested donation of $10, $8 for seniors or $25 per family for the concert, which runs from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Wendi McPike of Kennebunkport, director of the Royal River Chorus since 2010 and a Sweet Adeline since she was a teenager, said that the chorus averages 400-600 people per performance.

“We have quite a following,” McPike said. “People come from all over to see us. They really love the a cappella art form.”

Kristin Holland of Durham is communications director for the group, and bass section leader.

Sweet Adelines, based in Oklahoma, is the world’s largest music education association for women singers, and is dedicated to the promotion of 4-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style.

“We’re an educational organization, so it’s a little different from a normal choir,” McPike said. “We learn about Barber Shop Quartets, and how to do this correctly.”

The Feb. 9 Royal River Chorus concert will feature a different twist.

“The Feb. 9 show is part of an international idea, called a global open house, to get the word out about what we do,” McPike said. “We’re inviting people to go on stage with us. They commit to five rehearsals.”

On Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Legion Hall, 10 people will be rehearsing, from 7 to 10 p.m.

“We haven’t had a show in a while, so we’re excited about this,” McPike said. “The 10 who have showed up are from all over.”

Among the songs on the Feb. 9 list, the Royal River Chorus will sing Billy Joel’s hit a cappella tune “For the Longest Time.”

The Royal River Chapter was organized in Yarmouth in 1983 by 12 experienced Sweet Adelines. In recent years, the chorus has maintained standings within the top three at the annual Region One Competition in Springfield, Mass.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 877-293-7464 or at the Courtyard by Marriott, 100 Southborough Drive in South Portland. The website is www.royalriver.org.

– Larry Grard

Gas expansion explored

Freeport’s Natural Gas Task Force was scheduled to discuss possibilities for expanding the service in town when the Town Council conducted a workshop this week.

Both the workshop and the regular Town Council meeting that followed took place too late for the Tri-Town Weekly publication deadline.

Prior to the Tuesday meetings, Town Manager Peter Joseph said that the Natural Gas Task Force, established last year, consists primarily of residents who want natural gas in their neighborhoods. Maine Natural Gas has lines from Route 1 north through the village, and is expanding southward, he said. Summit Natural Gas also has service in the area, he said.

The task force was meeting with the council to air ideas of what options it might pursue, Joseph said.

The Freeport Shellfish Commission was scheduled to meet with the council during its regular meeting. The commission was asking the town to look into the establishment of a regional shellfish coordinator, who might bring more order to the system, he said.

– Larry Grard

Wellness program to start

Maine Pines Racquet & Fitness located on the Harpswell Road in Brunswick has launched a new comprehensive wellness program called the 90 Day Commit to get Fit program. The program begins with wellness assessment that includes clinical lab work and fitness, health and nutrition measures. The assessment is reviewed by a wellness coach and together goals are set for the 90-day program.

Class size is normally 10-20 participants who meet once a week for 13 weeks for a two-hour session.

An informational night on the program is being offered on Friday, Jan. 24 from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and the next class starts on Sunday, Feb. 2. Call 729-8433 for more information.