It’s Patriotic Concert Time!

This weekend I will be conducting the Roswell UMC Sanctuary Choir and the Atlanta Wind Symphony(AWS) in the 29th Annual Patriotic Celebration at Roswell UMC.  No, I haven’t conducted all of them (this is only my 18th year)!  Sharing the podium with me will be Dr. Patrick Carney, conductor of the AWS, and we look forward to leading these fine ensembles in a rousing and heartfelt tribute to our country.  There will be three free performances (no tickets required) at Roswell UMC on Friday, June 25, at 7:30 PM and on Sunday, June 27, at 4:00 and 6:30 PM.  We have all the traditional bases covered – America the Beautful, God Bless America, Armed Forces Salute, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Stars and Stripes Forever, and lots more.  

I love this concert and how it reminds us that we are lucky to live in this great country, imperfect though it may be.   I have been fortunate in my life to have the opportunity to travel abroad many times.  However, as much as I enjoy visiting countries around the world, I am always happy to be able to return to our remarkable country.   We are indeed a fortunate people.

Summer and Singing!

We’ve just begun the sixth season of The Michael O’Neal Summer Singers and the first rehearsal was a blast!  One hundred and fifty voices came together to sing Randall Thompson’s The Testament of Freedom, Howard Hanson’s Song of Democracy, and arrangements of America, the Beautiful, God Bless America, and The Battle Hymn of the Republic.  In a program entitled (not surprisingly) Salute to America, this summer’s chorus should perform beautifully in our concert on August 15th. 

The Summer Singers (MOSS), unlike the regular season MOS,  is a completely non-auditioned chorus, and open to all interested singers.  The wide range of experience found exhibited in the individual singers in each summer’s chorus helps make the entire effort so gratifying to me.  I love taking people of various backgrounds and skill levels and assisting them in becoming a unified and sensitive musical ensemble.  That leads me to a question!  I’m interested in hearing the views of my readers on the pros and cons of non-auditioned vs. auditioned choruses.  Share your thoughts.