Submitted Photo The Harvest Is Plentiful Concert has proven to be a spiritually uplifting experience for the whole family. All are invited and it is free admission.

The 29th annual The Harvest Is Plentiful Concert will take place on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, 145 E. Main St., Fredonia. The concert is a joint effort of St. Joseph Church’s Voice and Handbell Choirs under the direction of Lucy Hurley, and SS Columba/Brigid Gospel Choir from Buffalo under the direction of Lynda Martin. They will perform jointly as well as individually.

As tradition has it, the concert will consist of many different styles of music. “Every Praise” by Hezekiah Walker is done in a gospel style as well as “We Sing Praises ( All Hail King Jesus)” by Shekinah Choir. The song starts in unison, later the listeners will hear the excitement of the different voice groups layering until it comes to a rousing conclusion.

“God of the Hungry” by Scott Soper is a beautiful and very prayerful, meditative song. The themes running throughout the song, include charity, freedom, hunger, and love of others. This piece will be performed in a very rubato style with the enhancement of strings and will also include an a capella verse. Tom Booth’s “Find Us Ready” starts off as a Gospel Waltz and ends in a funky 2/2 style. Both of these songs will be performed by the joint choirs.

Moving along, the Medley of two Spiritual “We’ve Come This Far by Faith” and ” I Will Trust in the Lord” will also be performed by both groups, as will “Day of Peace” by Janet Sullivan Whitaker, which speaks of healing, hope, peace, and prayer. Children from St. Joseph Church and Northern Chautauqua Catholic School’s Music and Movement Club will be joining on this very beautiful and meaningful song. The children will also be helping with Jay Stocker’s “Good in Every Way” that’s done in an African/ Latin style.

“Up Above My Head” by Mark Hayes, an energetic Spiritual done in a Gospel Rock style is based on the theme of music and celebrating the hope and joy it brings. It reminds us that everywhere we go music is in the air!

Changing the musical style, the audience will enjoy “The Lord’s My Shepherd” from Celtic Psalms and arranged by Kiran Young Wimberly and The McGraths. It is an Irish Tune set in a traditional folk style. The timeless melody, delicate harmonies, and instrumentation brings to mind the Celtic landscapes of Ireland and Scotland with sincerity, integrity and kindness.

“Jesus On The Mainline” by Moses Hogan is a Gospel Swing with a Dixieland Flare. A variety of instrumentation will be added to enhance the delivery of the piece.

St Joseph Handbell Choir will be performing the popular Shaker tune, “Lord Of the Dance”, adapted by Sydney Carter and arranged by Vicki Smith. The audience will hear this familiar song with different styles weaved throughout to the end of the piece.

As always, the last song of the evening, as tradition has it, will be “Rejoice” by Kenneth W. Louis, with soloists Lynda Martin and Lucy Hurley. It will be performed by both voice choir, and the handbell choir will join in with a festive handbell arrangement by Hurley. This is just a snippet of what the evening will entail. You will hear this and so much more!

The Harvest Is Plentiful Concert has proven to be a spiritually uplifting experience for the whole family. All are invited and it is free admission!