Our History
1998: The Begining
In 1998, Gary Marcet founded the Tri-City Community Chorus with a vision and a group of 35 dedicated
singers from the communities of Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach.
A graduate of Boston University in 1979, Gary studied choral music and conducting with some notably reputable
instructors. While in college, he also sang with the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood Festival Chorus
under some of the world’s greatest conductors.
Gary envisioned a space where those who love music and all it does for the human spirit could sing together
each week, explore the range of vocal music available, and perfect their craft. But mostly, bask in the joy
of singing together.
By its inaugural concert in June at Biddeford City Theater, Gary’s skill and passion had drawn together a group
of 65 members! By August, that number swelled to 100!
1998-2008: Gradual expansion
Gary led and maintained a dedicated chorus for the next ten years,
with a membership that gradually expanded to surrounding towns and cities.
Gary’s steadfast commitment, musical expertise, boundless energy, and passion for singing created a secure
rehearsal setting where members could come each week to thrive and grow.
Gary’s last performance with TCCC was in June of 2008.
We are forever grateful to Gary for planting the seed that has blossomed and grown during all the
wonderful years that have followed.
Gary was Vocal Music Director and Fine Arts Department Head at Biddeford High School for 18 prolific
years, from 1994 to 2012. Under his direction, the BHS program grew from 13 to 100 singers, and the
well-taught Chamber Singers performed for a variety of audiences, from the Maine State House to Cape
Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. In addition to his duties at BHS, Gary also served as Choir Director at the University of New England
from 1994 to 1998.
In 1997, Gary was honored by his colleagues statewide when he was named
Maine Music Educator of the Year.
2008-2015: New director, a continued legacy
Matthew Murray took the reins of the Tri-City Community Chorus as Musical Director following the departure
of Gary Marcet. He remained its Music Director from June 2008 through June 2015.
Matt holds a B.M. in Music Education with a voice major and trumpet minor from the University of Maine under
the tutelage of Dr. Dennis Cox. He also holds an M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern
Maine under Dr. Robert Russell, and an M.M. in Vocal Pedagogy from USM under Bruce Fithian and Ellen Chickering.
During his seven years, Matt brought high spirits, skilled teaching, and dedication to the chorus and became a beloved teacher and friend to TCCC members. Under his direction, the chorus performed many challenging works, including Mozart’s “Coronation Mass,” Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols,” and Daniel Pinkham’s “Christmas Cantata.”
Matt is the Director of Vocal Music at Gorham High School in Gorham, Maine. Prior to his arrival at Gorham High School, Matt spent
eleven years at Kennebunk High School. In addition to his duties with TCCC and at GHS, Matt has been deeply involved in southern Maine music education. He served as the Maine Music Educators Association District Chairperson from 2000-2003 and 2008-2011
and as the Choral Director at the Southern Maine String Academy and the Southern Maine Junior High Music Academy. Matt has been honored to conduct several districts and regional sixth grade, middle school, and high school honors choirs in Maine and New Hampshire.
2015-2017: A spirit of community through music
Nick MacDonald was honored and excited to become the Musical Director of the Tri-City Community Chorus in June 2015. Nick remained with TCCC until June 2017.
Nick holds a B.M. in Music Education summa cum laude from the University of Southern Maine and a Certificate of Theological Studies in creative spiritual practice from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Nick was a force for kindness, respect, and justice during his work with the Chorus. His choice of musical numbers deliberately reflected these values, and he embraced and embodied the spirit of community that makes belonging to TCCC the rich experience that it is.
Nick’s tenure with TCCC ended when he and his wife Madeline moved to Prince Edward Island, Canada, where
Nick is pursuing a degree in Culinary Arts, his other passion. During his years in Maine, Nick served as Choral Director at Waynflete School in Portland, Maine, where he taught chorus, music history, music theory, general music, and voice for grades 4-12.
2017-2020: 20th anniversary!
In August 2017, Wesley Raines became the new director of the Tri-City Community Chorus. His easygoing manner and willingness to listen won our respect and affection, but his passion for music and singing constantly inspired us to try new things and achieve more.
Wes holds a B.M. in Music Education from the University of Maine, where he studied under renowned conductors Dr. Dennis Cox and Francis Vogt and toured New England and Canada with the University of Maine Singers.
In June 2018, the Tri-City Community Chorus celebrated its 20th anniversary! What a glorious night it was! The concert featured appearances from past music directors, including Gary Marcet and Matt Murray.
2020 and beyond!
It would be an understatement to say that the global COVID-19 pandemic beginning in the spring of 2020 took its toll on the Tri-City Community Chorus and music throughout the United States.
We are happy to say that due to dedicated membership, exceptional board of directors, and continued commitment to our mission, the transformative power of singing that the Tri-City Community Chorus represents has weathered the pandemic and has continued strong!
In the spring of 2022, Dr. Christian Giddings became the newest music director of the Tri-City Community Chorus. Christian is a conductor, composer, and music educator from Unity, Maine. He holds a D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona and both an M.M. and B.M. in Music Education from the University of Maine. We are excited to have Christian on board to continue the amazing legacy of the chorus forward!
1998-2022: Dedicated accompanist
In addition to outstanding music directors, the Tri-City Community Chorus has also been blessed with fabulous accompanists. Denise Calkins was the accompanist for the Tri-City Community Chorus from its beginning in 1998 until June of 2015 – seventeen years of dedicated commitment. Denise holds a B.A. in Music from the University of Southern Maine.
During those years, we were blessed with her unsurpassed skill and her ability to interpret whatever music score was given to her with thoughtful regard for the composer’s intent and with consistent collaboration with the Directors. Denise’s playing brought emotion, life, soul, and color to the music. She will always remain in our hearts as a member of the TCCC family, and we thank her for her dedication.
Following Denise, Jeffrey Coggins became TCCC’s accompanist in August of 2015. Jeffrey quickly won our hearts with his skill and patience. He has very quickly formed a musical alliance with three successive music directors, seamlessly transitioning from one to another and keeping our rehearsals consistently productive. Jeffrey’s sly sense of humor and kindness have made him yet another well-loved member of our chorus family.
Jeffrey earned a B.M. in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine in 2005. There he studied piano, harpsichord, organ, percussion, and choral music with exceptional music teachers. He performed in many ensembles under the baton of notable conductors. In addition to his position with TCCC, Jeffrey is Music Director of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford/Springvale. where he plays organ and directs the parish choir and cantors.