First Parish Congregational Church, Gorham, Maine, is offering a compact disc recording of music for Christmastime, with all proceeds to benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation.

What Sweeter Music began as a project of First Parish in response to the number of our parishioners who were fighting cancer. When our Music Director, Ann Mason-Osann, was diagnosed with lymphoma, the Choir formulated the idea of producing a CD of Christmas music and donating the proceeds to the Foundation. This CD is a mission and outreach undertaking of the Church for the benefit of our greater community.

To order your own copies of our new CD right now, click here to skip right to the bottom line

Founded in 1976, the Maine Cancer Foundation is a Maine-based non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of Maine people by funding clinical and laboratory cancer research and supporting educational programs for both health professionals and the public.

Current priorities include the funding of a cancer genetic database. By identifying at-risk populations due to familial predisposition, steps can be taken to reduce the onset of disease by drug intervention, early and frequent surveillance, and/or participation in innovative clinical trials.

The Foundation supports Maine's first cancer DNA and Tissue Bank. This information, particularly when combined with the information stored in the database, is an important resource to researchers.

In addition, the Foundation underwrites "Discovery Weekend" -- a retreat where the coping strategies of cancer patients are explored and hope is renewed.

Ann Mason-Osann was involved in choral music since 1977. Her experiences included theater administration, community choir direction, public school teaching and church music. Ann's dedication to her work at First Parish built a volunteer choral program of one hundred enthusiastic singers. The making of What Sweeter Music was a real highlight in Ann's two-year struggle with cancer.

The First Parish Church Choir, under the direction of Ann Mason-Osann from 1992 to the summer of 2001, evolved into a group whose love of singing is evidenced by their polished performances. In addition to participating in weekly worship services, the Choir has represented the Church and community in several international choir festivals. They were invited to sing at the 1996 International Advent Sing held annually in Vienna, Austria, and have been asked to return several times. During the summer of 1998, they provided the music for the John Ford Gala and Celebration in Portland. Later that year, the group was pleased to sing backup for the Reba McEntire concert. The choir traveled to North Carolina for Choral Fest '99 and most recently presented John Rutter's Gloria and DuBois' "Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross" as part of their Easter celebrations.

What Sweeter Music is the product of many hours of rehearsal and effort on the part of 52 dedicated members of our church. It was produced in Maine by Maine people, and its proceeds will stay in Maine.

If your life or that of a loved one has been touched by this disease, please know that your contribution, through the purchase of this CD, will help others in communities across Maine in their battle against cancer. A receipt will be returned with your order, for your charitable contribution.

Price is $15.00 plus $2.00 shipping and handling each. To order your own CD of "What Sweeter Music," click below and e-mail us your name, address, how many CDs you'd like, and a daytime phone number where we can contact you.

Payments should be made by check, payable to "First Parish CD Project" and mailed to the address below.


. . . and Thank You so much !

Mail your order (with address and phone number) to

What Sweeter Music
P.O. Box 154
Sebago Lake, Maine 04075-0154

- OR -

Click here to e-mail your request

Learn more about the Maine Cancer Foundation