Want to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation? Come join the White Lake Chorale as it prepares a patriotic program for its spring concert. Singers who have served in the military are especially encouraged to join.
The Chorale will be among choirs across the United States “uniting in harmony to renew democracy’s promise” under the umbrella organization Sing Democracy 250. According to its website, the music program for Sing Democracy 250 was developed by co-founders Gary Aamodt and Celia Ellingson and commissioned by Together in Hope Project. The full program includes two new major compositions by American composers: “Redeem the Dream” and “US,” as well as “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
“Redeem the Dream” is based on Langston Hughes’ 1935 poem “Let America Be America Again.” The poem reflects on the gap between the ideals of American democracy as articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the reality experienced by many people over our history. Yet the poem ends with hope that America can live up to its promises of freedom, equality, and opportunity for all.
“US” is based on Richard Haass’s book, The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens. The text for this composition was developed and integrated by Ellingson and Aamodt, in coordination with Haass.
White Lake Chorale will augment the Sing Democracy 250 program with its own favorite patriotic songs for the spring concert.
Anyone of high school age or older is invited to join the Chorale for this session, reminiscent of Salute to the Military several years ago. Rehearsals begin Monday, January 19, at Lebanon Lutheran Church, 1101 S. Mears, Whitehall. Singers are asked to arrive at 6:30 p.m. to pick up music and pay the $40 registration fee. Rehearsal will be 7-9 p.m. Scholarships are available. If you can’t make it on the 19th, come to Montague High School at 7 p.m. the next Monday, January 26.
For further information contact the Chorale manager at whitelakechoraleinfo@gmail.com.
