Oneida Area Civic Chorale
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OACC to Present "Songs From The American Heartland"

The Oneida Area Civic Chorale will present “Songs From The American Heartland”, a collection of folk songs, spirituals and hymns, on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 4:00 PM at St. Agatha’s Catholic Church, 329 N. Peterboro St., Canastota.  The 95 voice Chorale, a community chorus under the direction of Mark Bunce, will be accompanied by Heather O’Connell on piano and joined by guest pianist, Colleen Roberts Pellman.

Songs will include Jay Althouse’s arrangement of “Simple Gifts”. In 1848, Joseph Brackett, Jr., a Shaker from Maine, wrote a short little tune he titled “Simple Gifts.” Only two verses long, the song’s words celebrated the Shaker principles of simplicity and humility, while the tune provided a tidy little rhythm that could accompany the dancing that Shakers placed in their religious services.  Most people recognize the song from Aaron Copland’s ballet, “Appalachian Spring”.

Other spirituals/hymns to be performed include “At The River”, adapted by Aaron Copland and arranged by R. Wilding-White.  Traditional spirituals will feature “I’ve Been ‘Buked, Children”, “Hush, Somebody’s Calling My Name” and the Moses Hogan arrangement of “Ride On, King Jesus”.  Mr. Hogan was an American composer and arranger of choral music, best known for his settings of spirituals. Hogan was a pianist, conductor, and arranger of international renown. His works are celebrated and performed by high school, college, church, community, and professional choirs today.  “An Americana Songbook”, arranged by Douglas Wagner, is a medley of folk tunes, including “Shenandoah”, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, “Cindy”, and “Red River Valley”.

Several pieces will feature four-hand piano.  Director Bunce and Ms. O’Connell will play “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”.  Ms. O’Connell and guest pianist, Colleen Roberts Pellman, will collaborate on “It Is Well With My Soul”, as well as accompany the chorale on “Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal” and “Homeward Bound”.

The Oneida Area Civic Chorale is a non-auditioned community chorus and was established in 1967 under the direction of Daryl Wonderly.  Now in its 56th season, the chorale has been recognized for its excellence by the New York State Council on the Arts and by the Central New York Community Arts Council. 

The next OACC concert “Great American Songwriters” will be Sat, June 3rd and Sun, June 4th at the Kallet Civic Center in Oneida.

Corporate Sponsor for the Oneida Chorale is Nye Automotive Group.

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