The community members that make up Bowdoin Concert Band and Chorus – The Bowdoin Orient

“The Bowdoin Chorus, in addition to Bowdoin students and community members, includes members of Portland-based symphonic chorus Oratorio Chorale. The musical group is directed by Emily Isaacson, who also directs the Bowdoin Chorus.

Joe Heasly joined Oratorio Chorale in 2017 as a tenor and began contributing to the Bowdoin Chorus after the two groups began rehearsing and performing together in 2021. Heasly played piano, clarinet and saxophone growing up and says chorale singing offered more opportunities as he began to balance raising a family.

‘I think one of the things I like about [Oratorio Chorale] is that it’s really a welcoming, friendly group.… One of the parts of the mission is to try to present classical music in a less formal way to make it accessible to people who might not otherwise hear it,’ Heasly said.

The Bowdoin Chorus also offers opportunities for Bowdoin alumni to get involved. Abigail Abbott ’08 has engaged with music from childhood, majoring in music at Bowdoin and singing in the Chorus during her college career. By participating in the Bowdoin Chorus, many find ways to stay engaged with the College after graduating.

‘The Chorus has been a really nice way to stay connected to the college and to be able to meet students and talk to them about their lives and their interests,’ Abbott said.

Abbott emphasizes the ability of the Bowdoin Chorus to bring together singers with a large range of experience and allow them to be a part of high quality rehearsals and performances, while improving the skills of inexperienced and experienced singers alike.