The Maine Music Society Chorale’s upcoming concert Out of the Ashes; Music Born of Tragedy is planned for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 9, at the Franco Center in Lewiston. Jared Morneau photo

LEWISTON — The Maine Music Society Chorale is holding “Out of the Ashes: Music Born of Tragedy,” a concert set for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 9, at the Franco Center, 46 Cedar St.

Based in Lewiston-Auburn, the chorale recently celebrated 50 years of singing. Led by Artistic Director Richard Nickerson, the concert will be an emotional musical journey through some of the bleakest times in human history, according to a news release from the society.

Among the works performed will be the world premiere of a new piece by Michael John Trotta, “These Things Shall Never Die,” commissioned by the Maine Music Society and dedicated to all victims of the Oct. 25, 2023, Lewiston tragedy. “This piece is our gift to, not only our local community, but the greater choral community as well. It symbolizes that we must continue to look for good, even in the face of evil,” said Nickerson.

In the first half of the program, the chorale will perform Donald McCullough’s Holocaust Cantata “Songs from the Camps.” The work consists of songs written by concentration camp prisoners as well as readings based on interview transcripts, historical data and prisoner stories. The second half will consist of several works, each one representing a different event. The concert will conclude with the uplifting Leon Dubinsky’s “We Rise Again,” which has become an anthem of resilience in the face of adversity.

Both performances will include sign language interpretation. A limited number of reserved seats close to the sign language interpreters are available. For tickets to that section, call the MMS box office at 207-333-3386 by Friday, Feb. 28.

A limited number of vouchers for free tickets for either performance can be obtained at both the Lewiston and the Auburn public libraries’ reference desks and at the Maine Resiliency Center upon in-person request. These vouchers must be redeemed for the actual tickets following the instructions on the vouchers.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit mainemusicsociety.org or call the MMS office at 207-333-3386.

Tickets cost $27 for adults, $25 for seniors, $6 for students 13 and older, and free for those younger than 12 accompanied by an adults.

Group rates available for 10 or more tickets to the same performance purchased at the same time; call the business office at 207-333-3386.

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