Published: Friday, February 17, 2012
Everett Chorale salutes America with patriotic songs Sunday
Politics is top of mind nowadays.
What with the Republicans campaigning, the visit today from President Barack Obama and the recognition of Presidents Day, politics and patriotism is flying at full mast.
How appropriate then for the Everett Chorale to give "A Patriotic Salute to America" for its Sunday concert at the Everett Performing Arts Center.
"I Hear America Singing" will be a concert filled with familiar and moving music that might move you to place your hand on your heart and cause your chest to swell with pride.
"It will be an audience pleaser that's for sure," said chorale conductor and music director Lee Mathews.
Highlights of the concert include "Abraham Lincoln: A Lasting Peace," which Mathews described as a "gorgeous cantata" that includes excerpts -- six pieces or fragments -- from Lincoln's speeches, as well as some narration to help give people a historic perspective.
The work is musically contemporary and the chorale is doing a great job with it, Mathews said.
"It's very melodic and the audience will get a little history of that time as well," Mathews said.
Spirituals by Andre Thomas and Moses Hogan will follow, incorporating such popular tunes as "Walk Together, Children."
"The Spirit of Freedom" medley combines more folk songs such as "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and "America the Beautiful."
Crooner Barry Manilow may not be known for his patriotism, but he made one such song popular. The chorale will perform that number, "Let Freedom Ring."
"We've got a little bit of everything here," Mathews said.
The chorale will also present "American Tapestry," a collage of Americana combining such familiar folk tunes as "Camp Town Ladies" and "Skip to My Lou."
Another medley will include a collection by Irving Berling, who made money as a boy on the slum streets of New York City selling songs, and now he's known as America's greatest song writer.
"It's an American story and that's what America is about," Mathews said. "Everybody can certainly identify with Irving Berling."
The concert will conclude with "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."
"It's a powerful ending," Mathews said.
"I Hear America Singing" starts at 3 p.m. Sunday at Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett.
Tickets are $16 and $14. Call 425-257-8600 or go to www.everettchorale.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
What with the Republicans campaigning, the visit today from President Barack Obama and the recognition of Presidents Day, politics and patriotism is flying at full mast.
How appropriate then for the Everett Chorale to give "A Patriotic Salute to America" for its Sunday concert at the Everett Performing Arts Center.
"I Hear America Singing" will be a concert filled with familiar and moving music that might move you to place your hand on your heart and cause your chest to swell with pride.
"It will be an audience pleaser that's for sure," said chorale conductor and music director Lee Mathews.
Highlights of the concert include "Abraham Lincoln: A Lasting Peace," which Mathews described as a "gorgeous cantata" that includes excerpts -- six pieces or fragments -- from Lincoln's speeches, as well as some narration to help give people a historic perspective.
The work is musically contemporary and the chorale is doing a great job with it, Mathews said.
"It's very melodic and the audience will get a little history of that time as well," Mathews said.
Spirituals by Andre Thomas and Moses Hogan will follow, incorporating such popular tunes as "Walk Together, Children."
"The Spirit of Freedom" medley combines more folk songs such as "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and "America the Beautiful."
Crooner Barry Manilow may not be known for his patriotism, but he made one such song popular. The chorale will perform that number, "Let Freedom Ring."
"We've got a little bit of everything here," Mathews said.
The chorale will also present "American Tapestry," a collage of Americana combining such familiar folk tunes as "Camp Town Ladies" and "Skip to My Lou."
Another medley will include a collection by Irving Berling, who made money as a boy on the slum streets of New York City selling songs, and now he's known as America's greatest song writer.
"It's an American story and that's what America is about," Mathews said. "Everybody can certainly identify with Irving Berling."
The concert will conclude with "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."
"It's a powerful ending," Mathews said.
"I Hear America Singing" starts at 3 p.m. Sunday at Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett.
Tickets are $16 and $14. Call 425-257-8600 or go to www.everettchorale.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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