The nuns in “The Sound of Music” wondered, “How do you solve a problem like Maria?”

I’m wondering, how do you keep a secret from Jean Sigler?

How, especially, if you publish the secret in the newspaper?

Only you, dear reader, can answer that question, because only you can keep this secret.

Jean Sigler of Brewer, the popular local music educator and chorale director, is retiring from one of her many pursuits – director of the Youth Chorale of the Bangor Area Children’s Choir.

Children’s choir director Michele Hall told me Sigler “is retiring from this group, but continuing with her church work and a few other musical projects.”

“As her colleague and as her friend,” Hall said, Hall’s goal, at this important juncture in Sigler’s life, “is just to make sure” Sigler knows how much everyone appreciates the tremendous contribution she has made to the musical character of this community.

To do that, Hall and many people associated with the children’s choir, which began as the Heritage Singers 10 years ago, are inviting the public to attend its 10th Anniversary Spring Concert at 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, at St. John’s Catholic Church on York Street in Bangor.

After the concert, a surprise, formal reception will be held to honor Sigler for her many years’ work in developing and directing young singers in this area.

The reception, of course, can only be a surprise if you promise not to mention it to Sigler, whose husband has promised not to let her read this!

Is it possible?

Can all the BDN readers keep a secret?

We’ll find out, won’t we?

At the surprise reception, the children’s choir will present Sigler with a “memory board,” a photo album and a book prepared by the members of this year’s choir, Hall said.

“Many people have suggested an alumni choir performance,” Hall added, “so if any of those people want to sing, I want them to contact me and get a copy of the music.

“I’ve already heard from six [former choir members], and we’ve contacted as many of the alumni of the organization as we can.”

Unfortunately, while Bangor Area Children’s Choir and Heritage Singers kept the names of all the young people who were members the past 10 years, “for some years, we did not keep addresses,” Hall said of the former choir and chorale members.

Sigler’s chorale includes young people ranging in age from 12 to 18, and Hall’s choir features young people ages 6-16. Its membership represents many area communities.

Letters have gone out to those for whom addresses are available, but Hall is hopeful that any former Heritage Singers who read this will be sure to get in contact with her or anyone associated with the children’s choir.

However, any Heritage Singers or former children’s choir members who are unable to attend, but who want to send a remembrance, Hall said, may mail it to Kathy Lena, 125 Bennoch Road, Orono 04473.

“Even people who were not in her ensemble,” but were fortunate to have come under her tutelage at some time, “might want to express their appreciation,” Hall said of her colleague, who spent 34 years in the pubic school system “and still has an active church career.”

“If you wish to make contributions toward an organizational gift for Jean,” Hall said, “you can make a check out to BACC and mail it to our treasurer, James Paton, RR 2, Box 8125, Carmel 04419.”

Anyone associated with Heritage Singers, Bangor Area Children’s Choir, or with Sigler in any aspect of her career, is urged to call Hall at 947-2023 to be part of this surprise reception.

Staff members at Hospice of Hancock County are sponsoring a Volunteer Training Program for which interested individuals must register by Tuesday, April 2.

All applicants will receive an interview.

Hospice volunteer training will be conducted 3:30-6:30 p.m. each Tuesday, beginning April 16 and continuing through May 28, in Jonathan Fisher Hall of the First Congregational Church in Blue Hill.

Hospice volunteers provide respite care, emotional support, companionship at home and in nursing homes and hospitals, help with daily living, offer bedside comfort care, and help provide education and network assistance with social and health resources for individuals approaching the end of their lives.

For information and application forms, call Hospice of Hancock County at 667-2531.

Anne Donovan, Hospice of Hancock County community outreach coordinator, also wants the public to know that the organization is offering a series of Bereavement Support Groups for Adults. Those groups will meet in three different communities.

One group will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning April 23 and continuing through June 11, at the Somesville Union Meeting House.

Another group will meet from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, beginning May 2 at The Hospice House, 14 McKenzie Ave. in Ellsworth.

The third group will meet from 3 to 5 p.m. Fridays, beginning May 3 and continuing through June 21, in the Brownlow Conference Room at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital.

Trained bereavement facilitators will offer a safe and confidential setting for participants to share experiences, listen and gain support through their period of grief.

Although these are closed groups, they are free to the public; preregistration and interviews are required.

Call 667-2531 to register or receive more information.

Readers will remember that United Cerebral Palsy of Maine has launched its first-ever capital campaign to raise $1.53 million to better help the 3,000 people with disabilities it serves in our area and in many other Maine locations.

KeyBank has joined that campaign and recently donated $2,500 to help the organization advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of those who avail themselves of its services.

To help United Cerebral Palsy reach its $1.53 million goal, you may contact Lynn Boulger by writing UCP of Maine, 700 Mount Hope Ave., Suite 320, Bangor 04401, or call her at 941-2952, Ext. 225.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.