Mary Green Chorale celebrates America
The Mary Green Chorale will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States with “We the People,” a concert featuring American patriotic music at 4 p.m. Nov. 15 at Lowcountry Presbyterian Church, 10 Simmonsville Road.
Under the direction of Mary Woodmansee Green, the chorale will perform works for mixed, men’s and women’s choruses, along with solos and smaller ensembles. Pianist and organist Karen Ball and a 15-member brass and percussion ensemble will accompany portions of the program.
The concert will open with an a cappella arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by “Chester,” a patriotic song by William Billings that was sung during the American Revolutionary War.
The centerpiece of the program will be Randall Thompson’s “A Testament of Freedom,” a choral work set to texts by Thomas Jefferson. The performance will feature organ, brass and percussion accompaniment.
The second half of the concert will begin with “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and include a Civil War medley and “Ashokan Farewell.”
Additional selections will include arrangements of “America the Beautiful,” the Navy Hymn and “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.”
The program will conclude with John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” with audience members invited to join the chorale in singing the refrain.
Commentary throughout the performance will provide context for the musical selections.
Tickets are $30 for open seating and are available in advance at marygreenchorale.org, Burke’s Main Street Pharmacy on Hilton Head Island and Markel’s Card & Gift Shop in Bluffton.
Tickets also will be sold at the door on the day of the concert, with payment accepted by cash or check payable to MGC.
For more information, visit marygreenchorale.org or email info@marygreenchorale.org.
