PROGRAM

The professional choral artists of ProArte perform an uplifting program to celebrate the diverse voices that have contributed to the American experience. ProArte’s favorite Americana titles drawn from various styles of music have been curated to create a moving musical portrait to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Choral arrangements of folk songs, folk hymns, and spirituals have held pride-of-place in the programming of American music, and we honor that tradition with deep respect. In addition, patriotic songs, concert works, and arrangements of what were popular songs in their day fill out the program. The audience will participate in musicmaking as well when opportunities arise to lift every voice and sing with ProArteOHIO!

Prologue, Fanfare, and Prayer

Recitation of Chief Seattle’s 1854 oration (poeticallyexcerpted)
All Things Share the Same Breath: a concert canon – Stephen Caracciolo 
A Prayer of the Middle Ages – Howard Hansen                          

Songs of the Early American Singing Societies

Let Tyrants Shake Their Iron Rod: a revolutionary song – William Billings
What Wondrous Love is This? – from Southern Harmony
The Wayfaring Stranger – arr. Stephen Caracciolo
How Can I Keep from Singing? – arr. Stephen Caracciolo
Dustin Hill, soloist

Patriotic Songs

My Country, tis of Thee – arr. Mack Wilberg 
America the Beautiful – arr. Michael McCarthy
   Sing-along

INTERMISSION

American Folksongs

Shenandoah – arr. James Erb
He’s Goin’ Away – arr. Gail Kubik
La Martiniana – arr. Luis Enrique Téllez
Polly Wolly Doodle – arr. Gail Kubik 

American Popular Songs

Beautiful Dreamer (1864) – Stephen Foster / arr. Caracciolo
Love Walked In (1938) – George Gershwin / arr. Zegree
How Do You Keep the Music Playing? (1982) – Michel Legrand / arr. A. L’Estrange
   Rhuna Byrne, soloist  

American Spirituals

Lift Every Voice and Sing – James Weldon Johnson
   Sing-along
Ain’t that Good News – Moses Hogan
Deep River – Norman Luboff
Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord – Undine Moore
Ride on King Jesus – Nancy Wertsch
   Rhuna Byrne, soloist