Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 2 : Fall 2010 | Page 40

educator in the Caribou schools, recalls a comment made by
her sister-in-law, Jane Dietrich, while she was visiting from
Long Island, New York. After attending a holiday concert,
Jane observed that people in Long Island are surrounded
by a culture of professional artists and musicians, but they
do not seem to have the special combination of civic pride,
talent for singing, and personal commitment that is so
evident in this area. Many people in Aroostook County
participate in choral groups just
for the pleasure of rehearsing
with others and putting on a
great show. They find it to be
a stress-reliever, a time to put
everything else aside and live
in the moment – to sing and
have an extraordinary amount
of fun. Sue also remembers
Helen MacDonald, a Choral
Society member and retired
schoolteacher in Fort Fairfield,
saying, “Where else can you
pay $10.00 [the nominal fee for
registration at the time] and have
so much fun?” Many members,
especially those who have been
with the Choral Society for ten
years or more, share a special
bond with the group, and say
it’s like coming home when the
rehearsals start up again in the
fall. “It’s a family,” says Dan
Ladner.

Neither the Caribou
Choral Society nor The
Living Christmas Tree chorus
hold auditions – the only
requirements are a love of music
and a willingness to commit to
rehearsals that are two or twoand-a-half hours long, and
are held one night a week for
eleven or twelve weeks – with
some additional time put in as
the concert date approaches. To participate in The Living
Christmas Tree, one must also be a professing Christian. For
both groups, music selection starts in July or August, and the
rehearsals begin in September. The Living Christmas Tree
has its own unique demands, starting with the construction
of the tree. According to Erla Duncan and Becky Woodman,
elementary school teachers from Fort Fairfield who have
both participated in the chorus for a number of years, the
38 Christmas Song FALL & WINTER 09

tree is re-built each time using a very specific design and
formula. First, the wooden staging is assembled, then the
lighting and sound systems are put into place, and finally the
decorations are added, creating an old-fashioned Christmas
tree with garlands, greenery, flower arrangements, and red
or white ribbons.

The c ۜ