Down East Singers, midcoast Maine’s largest community chorus, will begin the 2002-2003 season on Wednesday, Sept. 4, with open registration and voice-placement checks (no formal auditions required) for all new singers and all returning members. Registration will be held at Thomaston Baptist Church, 112 Main St., Thomaston, beginning at 7 p.m. Registration will also be held at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, followed by a regular rehearsal at 7 p.m. New members are welcome in all voice parts.

The group rehearses from 7 to 9:15 p.m. every Tuesday beginning Sept. 10. There is a membership fee of $40 per semester; scholarships are available. Membership for high school students is free.

December performances of Holiday Feast Music, including “Missa Criolla” (an Argentine folk Mass by Ariel Ramirez), seasonal pieces from many countries in foreign languages and English, and a carol sing-along will be on Friday evening, Dec. 13, at the Thomaston Baptist Church; and Sunday afternoon, Dec. 15, at the Rockport Opera House. The Odeon Youth Orchestra will perform with the Down East Singers.

For more information about Down East Singers, visit www.downeastsingers.org, or call business manager Debbie Handy at 236-8792.