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.

My first blog!

The Michael O’Neal Singers just began its Twentieth Season in what I think was exactly the right way.  Instead of concentrating on what we have accomplished during these last two decades, we set our eyes on what is ahead.  In a concert entitled Celebrate the Future we featured three outstanding high school musical ensembles:  The Alpharetta High School Chorale, Thomas Yackley, Conductor; The Milton High School Chorale, J. Andrew Bowers, Conductor; and the Centennial High School Chamber Strings, Young Kim, Conductor.  Each ensemble performed individually, as well as in a combined performance with MOS of Schubert’s Mass in G and a World Premier performance of Hear the Future! 

 

What struck me most about these young people, in addition to their extraordinary musicianship, was their commitment and seriousness of purpose.  In this complicated world in which we live it is encouraging to observe teenagers such as these and realize that they will be our leaders of tomorrow.  I have always believed (of course I’ll admit I’m somewhat biased) that school musical ensembles attract some of our brightest and best students, but I also believe that involvement in such ensembles helps develop qualities of teamwork, goal setting, and leadership.  It is gratifying to see folks (of any age) working together for a positive common purpose, and a musical ensemble is one of the best vehicles to achieve something together that could never be accomplished individually.

 

At our Celebrate the Future concert we had musicians ranging in age from teenagers to retirees and I imagine we all received something from our musical collaboration.  I’m interested in hearing from you as to what you experienced in our performance together and also what it is you most enjoy about making music in an ensemble.  Share your thoughts!

 

Michael