Grande Ronde Community Choir ramps up for winter term

Community Choir ramps up for winter, singers invited to join

Contact: J. Michael Frasier | Musical Director, Grande Ronde Community Choir
541-910-1149 | mfrasier@eou.edu

January 4, 2013

EOU photo by Andrew Murray / Community Choir rehearsals begin Jan. 10 for March concert celebrating 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) ⎯ The Grande Ronde Community Choir will hold its first rehearsal of winter term from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 in Loso Hall, Room 123.

Registration is at 6:30 p.m. and the chorus is open to singers of all ages and abilities. There is a $20 fee per term to participate and the money is used to help defray operational costs of the choir.

“Anyone who likes to sing and wishes to be a part of an outstanding community group is encouraged to join,” said J. Michael Frasier, choir director and music educator. “We strive to include a balance of fun, social interaction and quality music-making into our rehearsals and performances.”

Frasier is assisted by Lanetta Paul, accompanist, and Jonathan Davidson, graduate assistant. The choir meets every Thursday night throughout the term and will perform March 12, with a concert program celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation signed into law in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln.

Music will include “The Homecoming,” by Joseph M. Martin with text by Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Young, “Workin’ For The Dawn Of Peace,” a setting of Civil War Songs and “Battle Hymn Of The Republic,” one of the most famous songs of the era.

The escape spiritual “Keep Your Lamps” arranged by Andre Thomas, and a religious freedom spiritual often quoted at Emancipation Proclamation remembrances, “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” also present a view of the times from the perspective of slaves.

For more information contact Frasier at 541-910-1149 (cell), 541-962-3463 (work), e-mail mfrasier@eou.edu, or connect with the Grande Ronde Community Choir on Facebook.