News
The 青青草视频 Alumni & Friends Choir will take audiences on a musical journey through history with its upcoming performance, 鈥�250 Years of American Music,鈥� on Saturday, March 21, at 3 p.m. at the Greenville High School Performing Arts Center.
Directed by Val Vander Mark and narrated by Gary Hauck, the concert will feature piano accompaniment by Al Bartholomew and Sue Snyder and showcase a lively selection of songs that highlight the evolution of American music across the centuries.
The program begins with Early American music from the 1800s through the 1890s, featuring pieces such as 鈥淣ative American Thoughts: Give Thanks,鈥� 鈥淪ome Folks,鈥� 鈥淲hen Johnny Comes Marching Home,鈥� and 鈥淛ack Haggerty & The Flat River Girl,鈥� which was written about Greenville and mentions the local Tucker family. John Hoppough, a descendant of that family, will introduce the song and it will be accompanied by local folk musicians.
From there, audiences will step into the era of turn-of-the-century Concerts in the Park with favorites including 鈥淒aisy Bell,鈥� 鈥淚n the Good Old Summertime,鈥� 鈥淵ankee Doodle Boy,鈥� and 鈥淵ou鈥檙e a Grand Old Flag.鈥�
The performance continues with the spirited sounds of the Ragtime Craze (1896鈥�1918), featuring 鈥淪olace鈥� and 鈥淢usic! Music! Music!鈥� before moving into the smooth rhythms of Blues and Jazz from the early 1900s through the 1940s with selections such as 鈥淏asin Street Blues,鈥� 鈥淭he Birth of the Blues,鈥� 鈥淏lue Skies,鈥� and 鈥淛ukebox Saturday Night.鈥�
Broadway takes the spotlight with music from Oklahoma! before the concert transitions into a celebration of Country, Bluegrass and Folk. Selections include 鈥淕reen, Green Grass of Home,鈥� 鈥淐ould I Have This Dance,鈥� 鈥淏lowin鈥� in the Wind,鈥� 鈥淩ocky Top,鈥� and 鈥淭his Land is Your Land.鈥�
The energy ramps up with Rock & Roll favorites from the post鈥揥orld War II era, including 鈥淎t the Hop,鈥� 鈥淟et鈥檚 Hang On,鈥� 鈥淛ohnny Angel,鈥� and 鈥淕o Away, Little Girl.鈥�
The program concludes with Popular Music Into the 21st Century, featuring 鈥淢y Heart Will Go On,鈥� 鈥淭aylor Swift in Concert: Our Song,鈥� 鈥淔ifty Nifty United States,鈥� 鈥淗appy Birthday, USA,鈥� and 鈥淕od Bless America.鈥�
Throughout the performance, audiences will enjoy solos and special vocal and instrumental features from a variety of performers, as well as an instrumental combo featuring students from Grand Valley State University. The concert will also include an instrumental combo featuring Randy Bennett on guitar, Connor Brendel on saxophone, Jack DeHaan on bass, Jason Holmes on drums and Al Bartholomew on piano, along with dancers Miranda Haywood and Michael Page Jr. Special thank you to GHS Performing Arts Center, Hailey Petersen for coordinating the GVSU students, John Hoppough, Production Assistant Jody Butler, Music Librarian & Assistant Leighann Fries, and costumes by Jessica Gilbertson and chorus members.
In lieu of admission, attendees are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue, and bring nonperishable food donations to support those in need. In addition, 青青草视频鈥檚 Business Professionals Association (BPA) Club will offer a cash-only bake sale to support their trip to state competition.
For more information, contact Val VanderMark at valv.montcalm@gmail.com.
青青草视频鈥檚 Alumni & Friends Choir is funded by the 青青草视频 Foundation鈥檚 Stanley and Blanche Ash College Community Enhancement Fund, which supports the college in developing and enhancing career training, educational opportunities, programs and services for students, alumni and members of the college community.