Outreach Programs

“NCS We Sing Program” – Performances that Include Singers of All Ages

In celebration of NCS’ 80th anniversary in 2013 – 2014, the “NCS We Sing Program” was formed to encourage and foster music among all age groups in our community. The program offers opportunities to singers of all ages to experience and perform choral music, and enhance their music education.

Including Children and Youth in the Performance of Choral Music

The 2013 and 2014 NCS Winter Concert featured the 5th and 6th graders of the Molin School Children’s Chorus, led by Gina McKeown and assistant director Allison Balentine.  In 2015, Gina and Allison formed the Greater Newburyport Children’s Chorus (GNCC), which has performed with us each year beginning with the 2015 NCS Winter Concert.

In August, 2017, NCS, along with the GNCC, performed the World Premiere of a specially commissioned piece by composer Kyle Smith entitled, I Could See the Sky, at the 2017 Newburyport Chamber Music Festival, with performances in both Newburyport and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  

Having the participation of these young voices not only enriches our performances, but it also brings great delight to audiences.  It also teaches young singers how to interact with a professional conductor, an orchestra, and a large chorus.   Plans are now underway to expand the “We Sing” program to have local high school students perform major choral works with NCS at our Spring Concerts.

Community Service Internship

The Newburyport Choral Society (NCS) offers high school students an opportunity to sing with NCS as part of their community service requirements for graduation. This internship represents NCS’ commitment to supporting the performing arts and engaging youth in both music education and the performance of choral music that enriches the cultural life of Greater Newburyport and surrounding communities.

NCS membership dues and music fees are waived for participating students.  Students may join in the Fall and/or Spring Concert seasons, and are expected to attend weekly Monday evening rehearsals, perform in two concerts, and sell 2 tickets to the concert performance.  This is a wonderful opportunity for young musicians to join us and share in the wonderful and enriching experience of making and performing great music, while earning community service credit.

The Summer Sing

This program has seen a growing success as a community event with nearly 200 people in attendance each year. The NCS Chorus comes together on a summer evening with community singers and patrons, admission free, to listen or join in singing wonderful choral music. The gracious use of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church enhances the beauty of these concerts. The extraordinary professional soloists and wonderful singing is usually preceded by a historical overview of the composer and the choral work by the NCS Music Director.

Newburyport Choral Society Betty Gillette Scholarship

The Newburyport Choral Society Betty Gillette Scholarship is named for one of our beloved founding members who  sang with the chorus from 1934 to 2009.  Each year $1,000 is awarded to a High School senior who is planning to major in music in college.  Newburyport Choral Society Betty Gillette Scholarship application must be completed each year by the April 1st as outlined in the Requirements for consideration. The NCS Scholarship Committee reviews all applications, and the Betty Gillette Scholarship is awarded at the end of the concert season at the NCS Spring Concert.

Click NCS Scholarship to download application (Fillable PDF Form). Completed applications should be submitted via email to outreach@newburyportchoralsociety.org  by April 1st, annually.

Newburyport Choral Society, P.O. Box 92, Newburyport, MA 01950
(978) 462-0650

To make a donation specifically to the Betty Gillette Scholarship fund, please CLICK HERE

To make an unrestricted donation as an individual sponsor of NCS, please click the green “Donate Now” button to the right.