The Community Chorus of Redlands, under the direction of Jeffrey H. Rickard, will present its Annual Family Music Festival on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church at the corner of Cajon and Olive, Redlands. This festive evening features a wide variety of choral music that celebrates our American heritage as it resonates in our Memorial Day holiday.
Composers and arrangers in this American musical collage include: Dan Forrest (arrangement for choir, violin and one piano, four hands of the Colonial folksong “The Nightingale”), John Leavitt (“A Wink And A Smile” from the film Sleepless in Seattle), John D. Miller (a choral frolic on Stephen Foster’s “Oh! Susanna”), Mark Hayes (a swinging arrangement of Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm”) John Purifoy (“Appalachian Fiddler.”)
American spirituals and gospel renditions include settings by: Thomas A. Dorsey (“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”), Mark Hayes (“Wade in the Water”), Byron J. Smith (“Worthy To Be Praised”), and Mack Wilberg (“Anthem of Peace” which includes the Estonian folk song “The Power of Song” with the American Spiritual “We Shall Walk Together in the Valley of Peace”.)
Pre-concert entertainment will feature the rags of Scott Joplin in arrangements for one piano, four hands.
A special guest appearance by Lara Urrutia, piano, will be featured as part of the overall musical rainbow. Lara, a native of Redlands who graduated with a piano performance major at the University of Redlands is finishing her doctorate in Collaborative Piano at the University of Southern California.
The recognition of those who have served our country in our Armed Forces culminates in the annual singing of John Rutter’s setting of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic," a stirring musical event for choir, two keyboards, organ, other available instruments, and rousing audience participation in the final chorus.
A free-will offering will be received in support of Community Chorus and the expenses incurred in this presentation. A moving arrangement of the Navy Hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” for organ and piano will accompany this offering.