Evie Kiehle on “Here We Are”

“Where Are the Women?” is a new book just published by EVIE KIEHLE, a BUHS senior. She looks at the lack of women in American Politics and has written a guide to the ways we can change this. Evie also talks about growing up in Brattleboro, and the people and activities that influence her.


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Seeks New Singers!

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus welcomes new members to sing with us in an Open Rehearsal tomorrow, September 14th. Come join in the singing in person on Thursday mornings or evenings, or virtually on Friday mornings (just for the month of October). This Open Rehearsal is for to new singers to come and check out the chorus to see if it is a good fit for them. Advance registration is required for all singers via our website.

The Chorus welcomes anyone ages 10 and up who identifies as female or non-binary, and whose vocal range comfortably includes the A in the middle of the treble staff. All abilities are welcome and no auditions are required. 


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Concerts This Weekend

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus presents their 27th annual spring concerts, “Sweet are the Days,” on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4 at 4 pm outside at the Retreat Farm. Sunday’s concert will also be live streamed via Zoom.

Directed by founder and musical director Becky Graber, the spring concert features an eclectic program of soulful songs. Selections include compositions by Floridian singer/songwriter Velma Frye and former Brattleboro resident Susan Kisslinger; the haunting Estonian piece, “Mis on inimene?” (in English, “What is human?”); and a beautiful rendition of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s well-known song, “In My Life.” Local writer Karen Hesse and conductor Becky Graber collaborated to create “Granny and Bean,” a tale of an adventurous day by the sea. And the chorus will sing the opening of “Let Time Be Your Friend,” a piece composed by Diane White-Clayton as part of the Black Lives Matter Commissioning Project. The Chorus will sing the full piece with soloist Samirah Evans in our spring 2024 concert.


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Seeks New Singers!

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus welcomes new singers to sing with us on March 16 or 17. Come join in the singing either in-person on Thursday mornings or evenings, or virtually on Friday mornings. Our first two weeks of rehearsals on March 16 and 23 are open to new singers to come and check out the chorus to see if it is a good fit for them (provided they email us in advance). Advance registration is required for all singers.

The Chorus welcomes anyone ages 10 and up who identifies as female or non-binary, and whose vocal range comfortably includes the A in the middle of the treble staff. All abilities are welcome and no auditions are required. 


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Open Rehearsals Thursday

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus welcomes new members to come to a rehearsal on Thursday, September 15 to see if Chorus is a good fit for them. Zoom rehearsals are also an option on Friday mornings.

The Chorus welcomes anyone ages 10 and up who identifies as a woman or non-binary, and whose vocal range comfortably includes the A in the middle of the treble staff.


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Outdoor Concerts!

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus presents their 26th annual spring concerts entitled “Why Not Sing?” on Saturday June 4 and Sunday June 5 at 4:00 pm outdoors at the Retreat Farm. These will be the first in-person concerts the BWC has presented since 2019.

The concerts will feature songs the chorus has been working on this spring and includes some favorites from earlier sessions. Local musician Lisa McCormick will join the chorus on several songs, including “Tiny Lights” by Coco Love Alcorn and “Can You Catch the Moon” by Lisa Loeb and Elizabeth Mitchell. The chorus will also sing Velma Frye’s “Take Heart” and Terry Garthwaite’s “Shine On.” McCormick and the chorus will be joined by the ukulele orchestra on a premiere of Barbara McAfee’s song (and the concert title), “Why Not Sing?”


Join the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus!

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus welcomes new members to sing with us either virtually or in-person. We will be singing on Thursdays this spring starting with a Zoom “Open Rehearsal” on Thursday, March 17 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm, after which singers may register to continue singing via Zoom or join one of our in-person rehearsals. 

In-person rehearsals begin on March 24th and will be held either Thursday mornings at the Brattleboro Music Center from 10 – 11:30 am or Thursday evenings at All Souls Church from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Proof of vaccination and singers masks with a filter or N95/KN95 masks are required for in-person rehearsals this spring. Zoom rehearsals will take place weekly on Fridays from 10 – 11:30 am. We hope to conclude our season with an outdoor concert in June, but you do not have to participate in the concert to sing in chorus.


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Hosts Fall (virtual) Singalong Concert

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus will perform their fall “HeartSong Singalong” via Zoom on Sunday, November 21 at 4 pm.

The chorus will be singing songs led by Director Becky Graber. Some of the songs are very easy to join along with, and Becky will teach a song or two to all. Singalong-goers can register online via Zoom and pay for a ticket using the links on our website.

After over a year of exclusively singing on Zoom, this fall the chorus was able to sing in-person as well and recorded song tracks that we will sing with during the Singalong. Singers will be muted during the event, so feel free to sing along in the comfort of your homes, if you wish. Lyrics will be posted in the chat.


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Hosts Mother’s Day Singalong

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus will perform their spring “Singalong Finale” via Zoom on Mother’s Day: Sunday, May 9 at 4 pm.

As we finish our 25th anniversary year, the chorus will be singing songs led by Director Becky Graber and some guests as well! Some of the songs are very easy to join along with, and Becky will teach a song or two to all. Singalong-goers can register online via Zoom and pay for a ticket using the links on our website.

Singers will be muted, though we will hear harmonized vocal tracks, so feel free to sing along in the comfort of your homes, if you wish.


Join the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus – Virtually!

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus welcomes new members to help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary year by singing together weekly via Zoom. We will be singing on Thursdays via Zoom this spring starting Thursday, March 4 from either 10 – 11:30 am OR 7 – 8:30 pm until our Singalong performance on Mother’s Day, May 9.

The chosen music is an eclectic mix from around the world that is spirited, uplifting and easy to learn during these challenging times. Recordings and some videos are available to practice with between rehearsals.


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Hosts 25th Fall (Virtual) Concert

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus will perform their 25th annual fall “singalong concert” via Zoom this Sunday, November 22 at 4 pm.

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, the chorus will be singing songs about rivers, welcoming the ancestors & healing, led by Director Becky Graber. Some of the songs are very easy to join along with, and Becky will teach a song or two to all. Singers will be muted, though we will hear harmonized vocal tracks, so feel free to sing along in the comfort of your homes, if you wish.


Women’s Film Festival Rescheduled

Due to the concerns around the spread of Coronavirus(COVID-19), this year’s Women’s Film Festival, originally slated for March 20-29th, has been rescheduled to September 18-20th. Look for more information on our website, www.womensfilmfestival.org, this summer.

*If you already purchased a 5-movie pass or gala ticket, it will be valid in September.

*If you hadn’t yet purchased a pass or ticket, but still wish to donate to the Freedom Center, please go to www.womensfreedomcenter.net and click ‘donate’.
*If you are unable to attend the event in September and would like a refund of your purchase, please be in touch with us via email – admin@womensfreedomcenter.net.


Join the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus!

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus will begin their spring session with open rehearsals the first week of March. To celebrate the 100thanniversary of women’s right to vote, the theme of the songs will be of strength, solidary, and suffrage. Following the Chorus’s concerts in May, those who choose to can join a repeat performance of several songsat WomenSing100, a singing gathering in honor of women’s strength and voting rights to be held in Worcester, MA in August.

Open rehearsals are for any women or girls age 10 and older to check out with no obligation whether Chorus is right for them. The Chorus has been under the direction of Becky Graber since 1996 and is unique in that much of the music, even multiple and complicated parts, is taught by ear. Written music is available on occasion, but practice recordings and word sheets are always provided to help with learning.


Gail Grycel Brings Woodworking to Women at HatchSpace in Brattleboro

HatchSpace woodworking shop and school in Brattleboro, VT welcomes Gail Grycel to their teaching staff and board of directors.

Gail Grycel, owner of Twin Birch Woodworking in Westminster West, Vermont, has been a custom cabinetmaker since 1984. The balance of beauty and function exists in her cabinetry and furniture throughout New England.  For over twenty five years, and in three states, Gail has empowered women and girls through her class offerings in adult learning programs, woodworking courses in her studio, Rosie’s Girls summer camp sessions, mixed gender workshops, and one on one tutoring. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and experience to all who want to explore the love of making things out of wood.


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Concerts this Weekend: Walk With Me

The Brattleboro Women’s Chorus will present their 23rd annual spring concert, “Walk With Me,” on Mother’s Day weekend at Centre Congregational Church. Joining director Becky Graber and the 80-voice chorus of women will be Cathy Martin on piano and Connie Green on flute.

Last summer, a group of singers from the chorus traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan to participate in the Sister Singers Festival, a gathering of women’s choruses from across the country. The “Walk With Me” repertoire was inspired by that trip and features songs of travel, migration, community, and home. One of the concert’s songs, “Winnebago” by David Maddux, about an obvious means of hitting the road, was heard at the festival.


Screwnomics is Topic of Talk at Everyone’s Books

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – The idea that women should always work for less or, even better, for free is the economic theory behind Screwnomics, the subject and title of a new book by Rickey Garde Diamond that she will discuss at Everyone’s Books Thursday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.

The event is co-sponsored by the book store and the Brattleboro branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).


VT Listening Project: The Hidden Side of Women’s Lives in Our Community

Join Brooks Memorial Library on Wednesday, September 26 at 6 pm as the Vermont Commission on Women presents: The Hidden Side of Women’s Lives, a special event highlighting their statewide listening project, which is designed to help voice the concerns of women around the state. Brattleboro Commissioner Emilie Kornheiser and Saxtons River Commissioner Carol Buchdahl will be present, as well as Commission Director Cary Brown.


Brattleboro Women’s Chorus Begins with Open Rehearsals

The fall session of the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus will begin on September 5 and 6 with open rehearsals for any women or girls over age 10 who would like to try out the chorus without obligation. Founder/director Becky Graber traveled with 18 chorus members to the Sister Singers Festival in Grand Rapids, MI in June, where they not only performed but also heard lots of wonderful music by other women’s choruses. Some of these songs will be included in the fall repertoire.


Women Run Brattleboro

With Sue Fillion’s appointment to become Planning Director, I got to thinking about just how many women are in key postions of Town government. I took a look. The majority of town offices in Brattleboro now have women heading them.

Town Assessor – Jenepher Burnell
Library – Starr Latronica


April 21 Women in Music Benefit Gala: “O, Britannia!”

West Brattleboro, Vt. — Friends of Music at Guilford, now in its 52nd concert season, is presenting its 9th annual Women in Music house concert gala on Saturday, April 21. This season’s celebration toasts three noted British composers with diverse and distinguished personal histories: Madeleine Dring, Dame Ethel Smyth, and Lucy Broadwood.

The event, which is held this year in an award-winning energy-efficient home in West Brattleboro, begins at 6:00 p.m. with a festive buffet of hearty hors d’oeuvres, salads, and side dishes, continues with the concert at about 7:00, and concludes with a reception of dessert specialties donated by area inns, bakeries, restaurants, and private chefs.