BRANDON — Compass Music and Arts Center (CMAC) invites the public to its very first concert in Brandon on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 3 p.m. This is a benefit concert to support the Compass Music and Arts Foundation, an organization dedicated to partnering with CMAC to see the arts thrive in the Brandon community and beyond.
The concert will include two very popular area singing groups: Maiden Vermont and Curbstone Chorus.
Maiden Vermont is a multigenerational group of women (teens to 80) who sing four-part a cappella music in the barbershop style. Founded by Lindi Bortney, the first recipient of the Sweet Adeline Award, Maiden Vermont has been performing since 2004. Now 50 voices strong, the group has performed for First Night festivals, many summer concert series, fundraisers for nonprofits and more. The singers say their most memorable event was singing the American and Canadian national anthems at a Red Sox Game for Vermont Day. Their repertoire consists of many styles: spirituals, doo-wop, swing, Broadway tunes, and songs of the American Songbook. All are arranged in barbershop style and their performances provide a witty mix that is fun for the whole family.
Curbstone Chorus was founded in 2006 when Dan Graves, choral director for Rutland Public Schools, invited any man who liked to sing to join him in singing songs in the barbershop style. The chorus now features 30 voices and is an active member of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The group performs in parades, festivals, churches and community events.
Reservations are recommended, as space is limited. Tickets are $20, to benefit the Compass Music and Arts Foundation, and can be purchased in advance at CMAC seven days a week from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Audience members have the opportunity to enter the F.A.M.E. (Food, Art, Music, and Entertainment) raffle, offering the chance to win local foods, tickets to live music events, family entertainment venues, and art-related activities. A F.A.M.E. raffle ticket is included with each advance ticket purchase.
For more information or to reserve tickets, contact CMAC by calling 802-247-4295 or emailing [email protected]. CMAC is located at 333 Jones Drive in Brandon in Park Village, on the site of the former Brandon Training School. For more information, visit www.cmacvt.org.