WESTMINSTER WEST-The River Singers Community Chorus, led by Mary Cay Brass with Andy Davis, is celebrating its 35th anniversary of joyous singing together with two special holiday concerts Saturday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m., at the Westminster West Church.
The 70-voice River Singers is a multi-generational chorus known for what it calls “an eclectic mix of community-based music from many cultural and musical traditions.” Songs from Bosnia, South Africa, Macedonia, and Belarus, are often part of the repertoire, as well as African American gospel and social justice songs.
Choir member Davis will lead songs from the local Nowell Sing We Clear tradition and one of his own compositions based on a text from The Wind in the Willows. The choir will also sing a memorial song arranged by and honoring Peter Amidon. Several songs will be accompanied by the choir’s “Balkan Band” with Laurie Rabut on fiddle, Addie Rose Holland on clarinet, Richie Davis on percussion, and Andrew Fries on trombone.
Throughout the years, the River Singers have hosted many international choirs — The Boys Choir of Kenya, The Christminster Singers and Big Sky Chorus from the U.K., the Zedashe Ensemble from the Republic of Georgia, the Bulgarian Pauni Trio, and Kitka, the San Francisco–based women’s Balkan ensemble.
Internationally renowned choral leaders around the world have led residencies and workshops with the choir to develop what promoters call a “repertoire of authentic, lively, earthy sounds.”
The admission fee of $15–$25 will be donated to local organizations working in community food support. For more information, contact mcbrass@vermontel.net or visit marycaybrass.com.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.