The Stow Festival Chorus is an all-volunteer, open group. Auditions are not required. Principles of good singing and musicianship are realized through rehearsals that are challenging and fun. The Stow Festival Chorus is a member of the Greater Boston Choral Consortium and the Central Massachusetts Choral Consortium. The Sounds of Stow Orchestra consists of talented local musicians who enjoy playing a diverse repertoire of classics.

For over 30 years, under the dedicated leadership of pianist Ernest Goldman and Artistic Director Barbara Jones, the chorus and orchestra have brought quality music spanning many centuries to the community. From humble beginnings, appearing at Stow's Springfest celebration, the chorus has gown and developed into one of the most respected choral groups in the area, presenting three concerts a year. Joined by the orchestra for fall and winter concerts, the chorus maintains its roots in the traditional Springfest concert, featuring area musicians in a celebration of community. In recognition of the increasing role played by the musicians of the orchestra, the group incorporated in 1992, becoming the Sounds of Stow Festival Chorus and Orchestra.

"Do what you do best" was the theme for the 30th season. The Sounds of Stow has become known for exploring and bringing to light major works that are underperformed, or new editions reflecting current scholarship of familiar repertoire. The group gave the first Boston performance in a century of the "Grand Mass in E-flat" by New England's own Amy Beach (1864-1944), resulting in the first commercial recording, available on Albany Records. The group gave the second area performance of Robert Levin's edition/ completion of Mozart's "Requiem", and Berlioz's "Messe Solennelle". Audiences were treated to rarely heard Baroque exuberance in Zelenka's "Missa Dei Filii" in 2007, and a moving collection of "Dona Nobis Pacem" movements from great masses by Bach, Haydn, Schubert, and Beethoven in 2004. Boston's own Horatio Parker's "Hora Novissima" was heard in 2006, to great acclaim. (A complete listing of repertoire is available under the Previous Concerts tab.)

At the fall and winter concerts, in addition to major choral/orchestral works, audiences have had an opportunity to hear virtually all of Mozart's piano concerti, as well as those by Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms, performed by our incomparable Ernest Goldman. Violinists Lawrence Franko, Ming-Chi Tsai and cellist Cecilia Lee have brought their artistry to the stage in concerti by Bach, Haydn, Dvorak, Dohnanyi, and even the exotic "Butterfly Lovers" violin concerto.

To continue to bring such great music to the area, as well as to offer performance opportunities to so many singers and players, the Sounds of Stow must rely on income from sources other than ticket sales. We ask for your support as we enter this exciting season. Your tax-deductible contribution will be listed in our concert programs in recognition of your generous support. Contributions "in kind" are also encouraged and gratefully accepted. Donations may be sent to "Sounds of Stow", P.O. Box 306, Bolton, MA 01740.

Sounds of Stow is a non-profit organization which receives partial funding from Stow, Bolton, and Acton-Boxborough Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Call Barbara Jones at 978-562-2620 with any questions.