Windham Chamber Singers to celebrate Nickerson’s legacy with historic reunion concert

The Windham Chamber Singers will present a once-in-a-generation reunion concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27 in the Windham Performing Arts Center, bringing together more than 200 current and former members of the acclaimed ensemble for a musical celebration honoring the extraordinary career of retiring director Dr. Richard Nickerson.

The Windham Chamber Singers will present a reunion concert
at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27 in the Windham Performing
Arts Center at Windham High School, bringing together
more than 200 current and former members of the 
acclaimed ensemble for a musical celebration honoring
the extraordinary career of retiring director Dr. Richard
Nickerson. SUBMITTED PHOTO    

The concert will serve as the final public performance conducted by Nickerson, who is retiring after nearly four decades as Director of Choral Music at Windham High School and founder of the Windham Chamber Singers. More than 200 alumni from across the United States are expected to return to the stage, representing generations of singers whose lives have been shaped by his leadership and mentorship.

Founded in 1988, the Windham Chamber Singers have earned national and international recognition for artistic excellence. Under Nickerson's direction, the ensemble has performed at Carnegie Hall, the White House, St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, and venues throughout Europe. The choir gained international acclaim after winning the prestigious Prize of Vienna at the International Youth and Music Festival in Austria and has collaborated with numerous renowned artists throughout its history.

Born in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada, Nickerson graduated from Houlton High School in Aroostook County. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Maine and obtained a Doctor of Music Arts degree from the Conservatory of Music-University of Missouri-Kansas City. He also did additional graduate work at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington and at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.

Prior to arriving in Windham, Nickerson taught for a year in Bangor. He also served for eight years as the Artistic Director for the Boy Singers of Maine and spent eight years as the Chorus Master for the Magic of Christmas Chorus with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Currently, he’s also the Artistic Director for the Maine Music Society, an adult choir based in Lewiston.

“I was aware of the choral program at Windham High School because my college choir had stopped in Windham as part of our spring tour in 1986,” he said. “When the job opened up, I was skeptical about applying because, although I knew there was a rich musical history, it meant that I would be following a very popular teacher, which can be difficult. The original position was half high school and half middle school. This meant I would be responsible for creating my own feeder program which was very appealing.”

"This reunion is more than a concert," said Nickerson. "It is a celebration of the thousands of students, families, and community members who have been part of the Windham Chamber Singers' story. Having so many alumni return to sing together one last time is the retirement gift I always hoped for."

The evening will feature performances by the current Windham Chamber Singers alongside alumni spanning nearly four decades of the ensemble's history. The program will reflect the musical traditions, memorable repertoire, and enduring spirit that have made the choir one of Maine's most celebrated choral organizations.

For many former members, the reunion offers an opportunity to reconnect with lifelong friends and relive experiences that shaped their personal and musical journeys. Together, the singers will create a powerful musical tribute to a director whose influence has extended far beyond the concert stage.

The Reunion Concert marks the culmination of Nickerson's distinguished career, which has included numerous state and national honors for excellence in music education and choral conducting. His impact can be seen in generations of students who have continued to pursue music, education, and community leadership throughout the world.

The Windham Chamber Singers are the premier choral ensemble of Windham High School. Since their founding in 1988, the group has earned a reputation for artistic excellence through performances across the United States and abroad. The ensemble is recognized for its diverse repertoire, commitment to musical excellence, and deep connection to the Windham community. 

The group’s American Holiday Family concert series has become a holiday tradition after 24 years, and the turnout for this past year’s event moved Nickerson.

“We had one of our most successful American Holiday Family concerts ever, with Broadway star Norm Lewis coming back for an unprecedented fourth time,” he said. “It was emotional because that’s one of the traditions that we’ve created and that’s a tradition that not only we look forward to, but our whole community looks forward to.”

“My wife asked a while ago if I wanted a retirement party,” Nickerson said. “I said what I really wanted is a retirement concert, so we’ve invited back every Windham Chamber Singer who has ever worn the uniform.”

“That will be my last thing as director,” he said, noting that the concert “sold out rather rapidly. It’s going to be pretty special.”

Tickets are available at https://www.windhamchambersingers.com/ or at the door the night of the event. <