GRAFTON — The 95-member River Singers Community Chorus returns to The White Church in Grafton on Saturday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. for its annual spring concert.
The River Singers, a multi-generational community choir led by Mary Cay Brass, sings a wide variety of community-based music from many cultural and musical traditions. The May 5 concert will also highlight the American works of guest composer Malcolm Dalglish.
Dalglish, a virtuoso performer on the hammer dulcimer, is a former member of the folk/Celtic trio Metamora and has performed frequently with the percussionist Glen Velez. In addition to the dulcimer, Dalglish plays the spoons and bones (both traditional American percussion instruments). He is a choral composer and director who presents programs of dulcimer music, stories, mime, rhyme, rhythm, and song.
Hailing from Bloomington, Ind., Dalglish has made more than 14 recordings on Windham Hill, Rounder, and other labels. Much of Dalglish's choral music is based on the poetry of Wendell Berry, which will be featured in several numbers in this River Singers' concert. One example of a Dalglish song using Wendell Berry text is the round “For the Future.”
Dalglish will accompany many of the songs with his hammer dulcimer, and will be featured as a vocal soloist on several the songs. He will be accompanied by guest percussionist Julian Gerstin.
While the focus will be on Dalglish's compositions, the May 5 concert will also include a typical River Singers set of songs from the Balkans and American folk songs.
Proceeds from the May 5 spring concert will benefit the Conflict Transformation Across Cultures program (CONTACT) at the School for International Training in Brattleboro. Admission to the concert is $14 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. For more information, email mcbrass@vermontel.net or visit www.marycaybrass.com.