WINDHAM – In the summer of 2011, Windham High School choral director Rick Nickerson and his wife, Linda, were honeymooning in the Irish town of Scariff.
While there, the newlyweds saw a performance by the Celtic Tenors, the internationally acclaimed tenor trio. After the show, Nickerson approached the group. In the words of member Matthew “Gilly” Gilsenan, a “seed was sown.”
“There was an instant rapport,” Gilsenan said. “We got on, we shared common taste in music and his wicked sense of humor. I think we had a pint or two.”
Three years and one worldwide record deal later, the Celtic Tenors are headed for Windham – thanks to Nickerson. On Saturday evening, Oct. 11, the Irish tenor trio will perform with the Windham Chamber Singers at the Windham Performing Arts Center.
Snagging a big-time act wasn’t a fluke for Nickerson. For a decade, he has attracted major performers, including the actor Norm Lewis and Broadway actress Sutton Foster, to Windham, typically for the Chamber Singers’ annual Christmas concert. This year, television and Broadway actress Rachel York will perform.
Observers of Nickerson’s track record say they are not surprised that he has managed to attract two major performers this year.
Dennis Boyd, vice president for choral music for the Maine Music Educators Association, said that Nickerson has helped put Windham on Maine’s cultural map by attracting such top-flight talent.
“Rick is one of the best networkers I’ve ever met in my life, and every time he brings a new person in, he treats them like gold,” Boyd said. “He brings these people into Maine, and treats them like a good Mainer should.”
“I think there may be some people in the state who have done it from time to time, but no one does it consistently like Rick Nickerson,” Boyd added. “Rick has created a tradition, and once you create a tradition there’s an expectation that it happens every year. He has done everything right. Look at the people he’s had. This weekend, this is like a bonus show for him.”
Mary Wassick, who has long been active in Windham’s arts scene and has had two children perform in the Windham Chamber Singers, said that Nickerson’s ability to attract major performers is just one component of his success in building the high school’s performing arts program.
“It certainly doesn’t surprise me,” Wassick said of Nickerson’s ability to draw talent to Windham. “Rick has a very long history of exposing our children to quality performances, and whether it’s bringing the chamber singers on tours and having them sing at Carnegie Hall, or having Tony Award-winning actors performing at the holiday concerts, he has a great track record. I think he’s one of the main reasons why our community has continued to be such great supporters of the arts, and especially the performing arts.”
According to Nickerson, he is often asked how he attracts such big names to Windham.
“I get asked that a lot,” he said. “The simple answer is I ask them.
“We consider ourselves just incredibly fortunate and blessed that we’re able to bring this talent to Windham,” he added. “They provide great concerts for our community, but also provide mentoring opportunities for our students.”
In Boyd’s view, by recruiting performers such as Lewis, Foster and the Celtic Tenors, Nickerson has gone far beyond his responsibilities as choral director.
“I guess what it says to me is that Rick is willing to use all of his professional relationships for the betterment of his school and his community,” Boyd said. “It isn’t written in anyone’s contract that you have to go and do this stuff. This is way above and beyond, and Rick has created an amazing tradition.”
A CLOSER LOOK
The Celtic Tenors perform at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Windham Performing Arts Center at Windham High School. Tickets ($10-$27) are available online at www.windhamchambersingers.com. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 892-1810, ext. 306. Tickets to the Dec. 6 An American Family Holiday, the annual Windham Chamber Singers Christmas concert, went on sale Monday, Oct. 6.
Windham High School’s choral director Rick Nickerson leads the Windham Chamber Singers during a rehearsal Wednesday afternoon for the upcoming Celtic Tenors concert. The Irish trio, coming to Windham Saturday night, is just the latest in a long line of top-notch musical talent Nickerson has drawn to Windham. 
The Celtic Tenors, from left Daryl Simpson, Matthew Gilsenan and James Nelson, will perform in Windham on Saturday night.
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