Advance registration is now open for Down East Singers, which will begin spring semester rehearsals on Tuesday, January 16, at 6:45 p.m., at Watts Hall, 174 Main Street, Thomaston. 

Rehearsals will continue Tuesday evenings from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. through May 21. The ensemble will prepare a performance of Josef Haydn's "Mass in a Time of Anxiety," also known as "The Lord Nelson Mass," with soloists Erin Chenard, soprano; Jazmin DeRice, contralto; David Myers-Wakeman, tenor; and John David Adams, bass. Mozart Mentors Orchestra, an instrumental ensemble of teachers and their students conducted by Anthony Antolini, will accompany the work.

The performance will be on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, at 5 p.m. at Watts Hall in Thomaston. The concert will be recorded for later broadcast on Down East Singers' YouTube channel.

Anthony Antolini of Cushing, the group's artistic director, has conducted the ensemble since 1991. Jennifer McIvor of Wiscasset is the assistant director and piano accompanist.

Down East Singers is open to all community members, and new singers are welcome. Sight-singing skills are desired but not required, as long as an ability to match pitch is demonstrated. All singers are expected to work on their music at home between rehearsals. The membership fee is $80, payable either through the website or by mail. High school students sing for free. Music for the semester will be provided at the first rehearsal on a loan basis. To register or find out more, please visit www.downeastsingers.org or call 207 619-0423.