Women in Harmony, a chorus of women's voices dedicated to the power of music to further social justice, presents "How Can I Keep from Singing," a concert of choral music, Saturday, May 10, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 11, at 2 p.m. Saturday's concert will take place at State Street church in Portland, while Sunday's performance will be held at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston. This season's concerts will once again be led by Music Director Catherine Beller-McKenna, with piano accompaniment by Deana Ingraham Gurney.

"How Can I Keep from Singing," the concert's title song, expresses Women in Harmony's reason for being: a passion for singing and the commitment to make the world a better place through music. The title song will be the chorus' first performance of Gwyneth Walker's rousing version of this well-loved Quaker hymn.

Other concert highlights include Holly Near's spirited abolitionist update, "The New Underground Railroad"; Libby Roderick's "When I Hear Music" in an arrangement commissioned especially for Women in Harmony; Quincy Jones' "What Good is a Song"; and "To Be Strong," a stirring anthem celebrating life and pride in the age of AIDS. In addition, the chorus will premiere an arrangement of Layne Redmond's "Hymn to the Muse" by accompanist Deana Ingraham Gurney and a piece by former Women in Harmony soprano Erica Quin-Easter, "All Creation Started with a Song." Finally, both performances will celebrate Mother's Day (May 11) with Holly Near's "A Thousand Grandmothers" and "Mother's Prayer," a moving plea for peace by Canadian folk singer Connie Kaldor.

Sunday's concert will mark Women in Harmony's first Lewiston performance as the chorus takes the stage at the Franco-American Heritage Center. The center is located in the former St. Mary's Church, a beacon of local Franco-American culture from its founding in 1907 until 2000, when declining membership led the Diocese of Portland to close its doors. The historic building was saved by members of the community who went on to establish the FAHC as a thriving venue for art, music and drama.

Tickets for Saturday night's performance are available at are available at Nonesuch Books in South Portland, Porte4 in the Old Port, Longfellow Books at Monument Square, and Starbird Music on Forest Avenue in Portland, or from any chorus member. Tickets for Sunday's Lewiston performance can be reserved by calling the Franco-American Heritage Center Box Office, 689-2000, or by visiting the box office in person at 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston. Prices for Saturday night's performance are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, and $10 for seniors and students with ID; children under 12 are free. Ticket prices for Sunday's Lewiston performance are $15 general admission and $13 for students and seniors.

More information is available at the Women in Harmony Web site, www.wihmaine.org, or by e-mailing wihmaine@gwi.net. Information about the Sunday performance is available at www.francoamericanheritage.org or by calling 783-1585.