The Western Maine Community Chorus (WMCC) invites you to celebrate the season with Christmas in Vienna, a festive concert of classical and traditional holiday music. The performance will take place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in Nordica Auditorium, Merrill Hall, University of Maine at Farmington (224 Main Street, Farmington, ME).

The first half of the program will feature Joseph Haydn’s St. Nicholas Mass, a charming setting of the Mass text that is now sung traditionally on Christmas Eve throughout Austria. The program will open with a lesser-known work by his younger brother, Michael Haydn. The first half will conclude with J.S. Bach’s famous “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”

The second half will feature several beloved German carols such as “Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming” and “Still, Still, Still.” We will end with an audience sing-along of traditional carols, ending with Silent Night. The chorus is directed by Dr. Paul McGovern, who brings over 30 years of choral conducting and teaching experience. He has performed with ensembles such as St. Mary Schola, Blue Hill Bach Festival, and Opera Maine. Accompanist Christina Spurling holds a Master of Music from the Longy School of Music of Bard College and has collaborated with numerous Maine choirs, including the Bagaduce Chorale, Acadia Choral Society, and Colby College Choirs. The chorus features over forty community members from across Western Maine.

“This program brings together the warmth and beauty of Austrian Christmas traditions,” said Dr. Paul McGovern, WMCC Music Director. “It’s a joy to share such timeless music with our community and to celebrate the holiday season through song.”

Admission is at the door, with a suggested donation of $20 per person (students free)—but everyone is welcome, regardless of amount.

Formerly known as the UMF Community Chorus and now a project under the nonprofit ArtsFarmington, WMCC is celebrating 40 seasons of joyful singing in the heart of Farmington. The chorus presents winter and spring concerts annually and opens membership each September and January to all who wish to sing. Donations and sponsorships are gratefully accepted throughout the year to sustain these efforts. As the chorus is now fully community supported and funded, support from individuals and businesses is essential to ensure this long-standing tradition continues.

For more information about the chorus, visit the Western Maine Community Chorus Facebook page, email us at westernmainecommunitychorus@gmail.com, or visit artsfarmington.org and click on the "Our Programs" tab. For donations visit artsfarmington.org and click on the "Donate" tab.

For more info on the concert, membership, and how to donate, follow the Western Maine Community Chorus Facebook page, email westernmainecommunitychorus@gmail.com, or visit ArtsFarmington.org.