Newtown Choral Society will begin rehearsals for its spring concert next month.

A performance has been planned for the evening of Saturday, May 17, at 7 pm. The program will feature works that encompass the idea of “Soaring,” featuring music with themes of freedom, resilience, realization and beauty.

Compositions by Andre Thomas, John Rutter and Stephen Schwartz as well as John Lennon and Paul McCartney will be featured. The poetry of Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman will be included in the music.

Rehearsals will begin Wednesday, February 5, at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street. Rehearsals start at 7 pm.

A community chorus, the choir does not require auditions but hopes new members have a desire to learn and a joy of singing. The choir welcomes both novice and experienced singers and performs two concerts a year.

Founded almost 40 years ago, Newtown Choral Society welcomes singers from all towns.

For more information on membership, contact the group’s president, Laura E. Lerman at 203-313-3064 or lel@se-ltd.com. The choir is supported through dues, ticket sales, and program ads.