“You have been ambassadors from Windham, Maine,” said Dr. Richard Nickerson aka “Dr Nick” to the 38 members of the Windham Chamber Singers as they returned Sunday to Windham from their annual spring tour, this year to northern Maine. Flashback to Wednesday when after a full day of classes, the group boarded a bus and headed for their first concert in Skowhegan. An incredible nine more performances followed between Thursday and Saturday.

These young women and men from Windham High School got better each time despite extremely long days beginning at 6 a.m. or earlier and ending after 10 p.m. or later. There was never a complaint as they spent hours on the bus in the same clothes, changing into formal tuxes and gowns for each evening performance without a shower or chance to refresh. The enthusiasm only grew as did the quality of their performances. The crowds walked away from each performance amazed by what they had just heard and seen. In Bangor, an audience member remarked that they actually got the chandeliers swinging with one of their more lively numbers.

Standing ovations were not uncommon from audiences in schools during the day or churches at the evening community concerts. “Please come back” was a comment heard by many. As chaperones, Diane Leavitt, Steph Bubier and I heard other wonderful comments about the politeness and manners of our singers. One remark I heard was in disbelief that they were all from the same school. These many talented students had to come from several schools and perhaps even colleges.

Their evening concerts began with some very serious and inspiring numbers such as Jubilant Song. Following intermission, the group picked things up with more traditional and lively numbers. The American folksong, “Shenandoah,” was performed with the singers surrounding the audience placing them in the “valley.” Not many got through that without a chill or tear. Smiles came from most of these numbers and lots of laughter accompanied the special “Girls” and “Guys” numbers. Churches may have moved slightly on their foundations when the group performed their original and latest version of “Haul Out a Can.”

Perhaps the most moving performance was on Saturday morning at the Madigan Estates, a senior assisted living and nursing home. Dr. Nick’s music teacher from his high school years said, “This is wonderful.” The Chamber Singers however received so much more than they gave at this event. The appreciative faces of those they had just entertained brought most to tears as they left the facility moving on to their next performance.

While their roles as ambassadors and outstanding performers were recognized at every stop, this tour was much more than that. This was a tour where the Windham Chamber Singers also applied many skills they had been taught by Dr. Nick that had little to do with musical notes. Efficient teams led by the officer staff quickly unloaded risers and moved equipment into each venue. Then one of their officers would give instructions to the group about where to go inside and what was expected of them. Leadership and teamwork made each event run like clockwork. Junior members of the choir learned from their conductor and fellow senior mentors. They knew that on next tour, it would be their turn to “run the show.” Their mentors gave them excellent examples to follow.

While missing two days of class, (Dr. Nick reminded them Sunday that they had to make up missed work), these students also learned many other things. For the majority, it was the first time they had been north of Bangor, seen Mount Katahdin, or been to Dr. Nick’s boyhood home, “the County.” They saw the diversity of Maine’s geography, small towns with a main street, manufacturing and farming communities, and Maine’s first wind farm at Mars Hill. They also had the opportunity to visit the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum in Littleton. This beautiful museum brought many “wows” from the students as they saw the displays of tools used in farming, industry, homes and schools of many years ago. Much of what they learned won’t be measured in tests but will be applied later in their lives.

I am honored to have been trusted as a chaperone on this wonderful tour. Most of us in Windham have witnessed what the Windham Chamber Singers have done year after year under the leadership of Dr. Nick and with the support of Windham High School, their parents and the community. Many others in Maine now know what we have and with that knowledge will remember the town of Windham as a special place. Our ambassadors, the Windham Chamber Singers have done us proud.

To hear the formal evening concert live, mark your calendars for the evening of June 2 at the Windham Performing Arts Center.

Bill Keller, of Windham, is a former high school teacher.

The Windham Chamber Singers performed in many venues in Aroostook County last week, including the First Baptist Church in Houlton, seen above. (Courtesy photo)

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