About Ernestina's Sea Chantey

The New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus is made up of some of Schooner Ernestina's most vocal volunteers, one of the most harmonious crews ever to come ashore.

Formed two years ago, under the direction of Tom Goux, as a non-auditioned civic chorus that would learn the nautical repertoire in a social setting, the group prepared a full program that was enjoyed by hundreds of listeners in 2001 and 2002. Their repertoire includes a variety of chanteys and songs that reflect the rich maritime heritage of New Bedford and the region. As a sampler of musical traditions connected to New Bedford Harbor and the New England seafarer, their performances feature the chanteys (work songs) of the Yankee sailor and whaler, along with the ballads and ditties of global mariners and coastwise fishermen in North America, the Cape Verde Islands and the British Isles.

In addition to the Crioulo and French sailor's tunes learned in the first year, the singers offer an Italian fisherman's ditty and a traditional Norwegian mariners' song. Featured soloists are Chuck Smiler, Jack Dolan, Joan Stopka, Polly Gardener, Polly Zajac, Marc Olson, and Iain Geddes.

The 48-voice group saluted the 400th anniversary of Bartholomew Gosnold's visit to Buzzards Bay with a set of English maritime songs. These range from the ancient "We be Three Poor Mariners," by 16th century composer Thomas Ravenscroft, to the Ralph Vaughn Williams setting of the traditional "Down Among the Dead Men," to excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan's classic, "H.M.S. Pinafore."

The band of instrumentalists that has emerged from the ranks of the chorus includes Iain Geddes, concertina, Mike Greene, guitar, Polly Zajac, flute, Vi Taylor, percussion, Tim Lyden, guitar, Jack Dolan, bodhran.

So, as Schooner Ernestina prepares for her busy teaching and sailing season for 2003, the chorus, likewise, will steer a steady course through an eventful summer.