Four choices and 53 voices
Rhodd Caldwell
Hearing 53 voices joining in song is an in-person experience not to be missed.
Experience it yourself when Coastal Voices, the premier vocal ensemble of the Central Oregon Coast, presents a series of four performances of “Americana Adventure: Best Foot Forward,” beginning at the Newport Performing Arts Center this Saturday, May 3.
The concerts continue at Yachats Community Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 4, then the following weekend at Chapel By The Sea in Lincoln City on Saturday, May 10, and Depoe Bay Community Hall on Sunday, May 11.
Artistic Director Rhodd Caldwell chose the material for these concerts to celebrate the roots, rhythm, whimsy and warmth of American music.
“I am excited to bring a selection of homegrown songs from traditional through modern to our audiences this spring,” he said. “I want to showcase our distinctive American styles of both folk and composed selections as arranged for choral groups.”
Acknowledging the roots of classic Americana, part one of the concert features familiar tunes like “Skip to My Lou,” “Home On the Range” and “I Bought Me a Cat,” then moves on to solemn American traditions with renditions of “Down In the River to Pray” and the Quaker hymn, “Gentle Words” among others.
Part two salutes modern American writers and composers. The whimsical poems “Animal Crackers” by Ogden Nash, set to music by Eric Whitacre, and “The Marvelous Toy” by Tom Paxton, highlight the humorous side of Americana.
The concert concludes with contemporary arrangements of American favorites such as “Over the Rainbow” and Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”
SoundWaves, the small ensemble drawn from the larger choir, will perform several selections. And, continuing the tradition at the ensemble’s events, there will be an audience sing-along of folk songs, with lyrics provided, following the intermission.
“I want to make Lincoln County the county that sings!” Caldwell said.
Tickets for a raffle of song-themed gift baskets will be available before the concert and at intermission.
“Our choir members have such fun finding items that represent the characters and ideas of the songs they are learning,” said Lissa Davis, treasurer and raffle coordinator. “Each basket displays in a tangible way our mission to celebrate, promote and develop the choral arts.”
A feature of this concert series is reduced ticket prices for seniors age 55 and older.
“We thank the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and the Robert D. and Marcia H. Randall Charitable Trust for their support of our efforts to make music listening and sing-alongs more available to our older audience members,” said board president Dr. Paul Caldron.
Tickets are $25 and $20 for seniors at the Newport Performing Arts Center; and $20 and $15 for all other venues. Those aged 17 and younger are admitted for free at all venues.
All concerts begin at 4 pm. For more information, go to coastal-voices.org or call 541-283-6295.