Grande Ronde Community, EOU Women’s choirs perform

Grande Ronde Community, EOU Women’s choirs perform

Contact: J. Michael Frasier | EOU Instructor of Music
541-962-3463 | mfraisier@eou.edu

March 11, 2013
LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – The Grande Ronde Community Choir and EOU Women’s Choir will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 in McKenzie Theatre in Loso Hall.

The performance culminates the musical activities of the Community Choir for the 2012-13 year and is the final concert of winter term for the Women’s Choir. J. Michael Frasier directs both groups with the assistance of accompanists Dr. Mio Aoike and Lanetta Paul.

Folkal Point, a group directed by Duane Boyer, EOU instructor, will also make a guest appearance for the event. Folkal Point is a 13-member eclectic folk group featuring students on fiddles, penny whistle, guitars, acoustic bass, mandolin, banjo and cajon (drum box). They will perform four pieces: the Irish tune “Marie’s Wedding,” “Ashokan Farewell,” done as a fiddle trio, the Bob Dylan tune “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” and a song entitled “Friend Til the End.” 

A variety of other folksong based or multicultural inspired pieces will be highlighted for the portion of the program featuring the 24-voice Women’s Choir. An instrumental ensemble will accompany the singers on “Riversong,” a Celtic inspired piece, and “Adiemus,” from the film “Avatar.” Also being performed are two songs of celebration from South Africa, with djembe accompaniment provided by Luke McKern, EOU instructor, and the Canadian folksong “Savory, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.”

A musical set celebrating the 150^th anniversary of the signing of The Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln will conclude the concert, with the 54-voice Community Choir performing “The Homecoming” based on a 19^th century hymn with text from a poem written by Lincoln. 

The Community Choir will also perform two African-American pieces: the Escape Spiritual “Keep Your Lamps” and the Freedom Spiritual, “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel.” The set closes with two Civil War pieces that include audience participation, “Workin’ For The Dawn Of Peace” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Admission to the concert is free. Donations will be accepted at the door with proceeds benefiting future music ensemble projects. 

For more information contact Frasier at 541-962-3463.