This year's "The Harvest Is Plentiful Concert" will take place on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 6:30 p.m. St. Joseph Church at 145 E. Main St., Fredonia, is happy to host the concert on this 21st year of its existence. It has been a collaboration of St. Joseph Church's Adult Voice and Handbell choirs under the direction of Lucy Hurley and SS Columba/Brigid Gospel Choir of Buffalo under the direction of Lynda Martin. Each church acts as host every other year.
The concert consists of a variety of different styles of music that the choirs perform jointly as well as individually. This year's counter-theme is "Put It In God's Hands" which is also the title of one of the songs that will be performed by the joint choirs. It is an up-tempo traditional gospel piece with words and music by the Rev. Leon Wilkinson. Following along on that same theme will be an understated arrangement of "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" with words and music by Mrs. C.D Morris and Charles H. Gabriel. On the other end of the spectrum, Tommy Dorsey's "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" will lend to that Tommy Dorsey's Big Band feel through the choral arrangement by Jack Schrader. Live brass and strings will be added to this spiritual to give it a bluesy, gospel sound.
As the variety of musical styles continues, there will be a performance by a group of dancers called Blessed Annointed Daughters (B.A.D.) from SS Columba/Brigid, dancing to "I Am Free" from God's Purchase Gospel Choir Album which was produced by the Buffalo Performing Arts Academy. William McDowell's "I Give Myself Away" lends to a worship-style song. "The Move of God," which was a collaboration of Lynda Martin and others, is an upbeat, hand-clapping gospel piece. The feel-good tune with an easy groove to it, "Make A Joyful Noise" by Chris de Silva, is a song that is sure to make the audience smile. Flute, sax, trumpet and trombone along with keyboard will accompany this choir's favorite.
The handbell choir will be making three appearances, first with "Jerusalem My Happy Home" which is a lively arrangement that begins joyfully with dancing, staccato rhythms. The second stanza has a more flowing style, with the cello playing the melody. The glorious final stanza features a soaring flute descant. The handbells will return with a tribute song in memory of a very special parishioner, Teri Scholand, who was greatly involved in St. Joseph Parish, a handbell ringer herself and was very well known to the children as "Pheobe the Clown" during the parish's Bible Camps and "Secre-Teri" to the children at Northern Chautauqua Catholic School. The piece they will accompany along with the piano is, "How Can I Keep From Singing," which will incorporate the SATB choir along with the Youth Choir and several little ones ages 3 and up.
"It is sure to be fun, just the way Teri would have wanted it," Hurley said.
The Anthem "I Know That My Redeemer Lives!" by Gilbert M. Martin, presents a more dramatic style of music that hopefully will send chills through the body and "Unity" by Glorraine Moone and arranged by the Rev. Freddie Washington is a moving, piece that sends a heartfelt, powerful message and it is hoped that the audience will feel this message. The concert would not be complete without the choirs' signature song "Rejoice" by Kenneth W. Louis with the handbells returning once again with a festive arrangement by Hurley. This year a lively marimba will be added to this already dynamic piece.
All community members are welcome to attend and enjoy an evening of music.
"It has proven in the past to be a spiritually uplifting and just plain fun experience for those of many faiths," Hurley said.
Admission to the concert is free.
