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The Harvard Press has launched a series of articles spotlighting local organizations and all the great work they do. Each article in this series will feature a Q&A with a representative of a local organization. The idea is to inform readers about the organizations in town, what they do, and how to get involved. If you would like your organization to be featured, please contact the editor at editor@harvardpress.com or 978-456-3700.

This week we're featuring Harvard Pro Musica.

Harvard Pro Musica performs last spring with the Bromfield Chorus. (Courtesy photo by Piper Jo Nevens)

Organization name: Harvard Pro Musica
Q&A with President Joseph Gaffney

How would you describe the group?

We are an energetic group of local residents who just love to sing! In particular, we like a wide range of fun (and often challenging!) classical choral works and we are committed to making choral music a part of our community. Over the years, our membership has included all ages­—from high school students through retirees—and our concerts have ranged from the very large (with a full orchestra) to small chamber groups in support of fundraisers for town groups and caroling. We strive for fun, high-quality concerts, and our music director, Dr. Mark Bennett, is one of the best chorus teachers and vocal teachers around.

What are the purpose, mission, and/or goals of the group?

Our mission is to provide periodic choral concerts for the local community and to provide an organized group in which singers of all ages can develop and deepen their vocal talents and their musical knowledge and express their love of music.

What would you most like people to know about the group?

That we exist! Seriously, I am often surprised when I meet folks in Harvard who don’t realize that we have a choral group of this caliber right here in town…no need to drive to Cambridge or Boston! And I would like them to know that they are always welcome to come give us a try or to come out to one of our performances and enjoy the sounds of live music, something that is getting increasingly lost in our modern society.

Are there activities planned for this year?

On Saturday, Dec. 3, we will perform portions of Handel’s “Messiah” and other carols. If you’ve always wanted to try singing the Messiah, our concert will be a great preview for the Harvard Messiah sing-a-long fundraiser at the Unitarian Church on Dec. 18. Come listen to us sing it on Dec. 3, and then join us for the sing-a-long on the 18th!

On Sunday, Feb. 26, we will be collaborating with Indian Hill Orchestra and Nashoba Valley Chorale to perform Stravinsky’s “Symphony of Psalms” and Haydn’s “Harmoniemesse.”

And on Saturday, May 5, we will end the season with Brahms’s “Liebeslieder Waltzes” and folk music from around the world.

When was the group formed?

Harvard Pro Musica was formed over 40 years ago, in 1969, by a small group of singers who expressed the same goals that we have today. Since then, HPM has grown and provided biannual concerts in Harvard and in the surrounding towns. In recent years, under the guidance of Dr. Mark Bennett, we have had many varied musical achievements, including collaborating with other community choirs in the area, working with the Indian Hill Orchestra, performing at University of Lowell, and forming the Harvard Pro Musica Chamber group, a smaller subset of singers who perform at events around town.

Are there memorable moments, interesting stories, or events that you would like others in town to know—or perhaps ones many people already know about?

Maybe you have been to one of our concerts over the years and enjoyed mulled cider and cookies afterwards, or have seen us singing patriotic music at the Fourth of July, or caroling in Still River. Maybe you have been around long enough to remember having attended one of our madrigal dinner fundraisers in upper Town Hall. Maybe you came to hear your son or daughter perform when we joined forces with the Bromfield chorus and sang “Carmina Burana” in 2003 and Mozart’s “Requiem” this past May. With over 40 years of community involvement, I think it is fair to say that Harvard Pro Musica has positively affected both individuals and the town in many ways over the years and that it is one of the organizations that makes this area what it is.
 

Who may join?

Anyone! No auditions necessary! Harvard Pro Musica singers over the years have ranged from Bromfield students to retirees, from experienced singers to folks who have never sung before. If you are interested, please join us for our open rehearsals at the beginning of our two semesters in September and January

Who might be most interested in your group?

Those who enjoy singing and listening to choral performances or those who just wish to support the arts and culture in our area.

When and where does the group meet?

Rehearsals occur during the season on Tuesday nights in the Harvard Unitarian Church from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. See our website for details.

How can you contact the group for general information and/or membership?

Joe Gaffney, info@harvardpromusica.org, 978-456-5039, or www.harvardpromusica.org.

—Questions written by Sydney Blackwell

Harvard Pro Musica performs at Fruitlands Museum as part of the town’s Fourth of July celebration. (Photo by John Sharko)