The choirs of Prairie River Middle School will present an “All American” concert on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. in the PRMS auditorium. The format of the concert will be similar to that of the All-American sport, baseball. Each choir will perform songs from the book, “Let’s Get America Singing… Again.” The songs in the book were compiled by music educators from across the country, in an attempt to identify songs that every American should know because they are important to our American heritage. Before the advent of radio and television, anyone who wanted to engage in song-making had to either make his/her own music (sing or play an instrument) or go to church or concerts. Families regularly spent time together singing around the piano. Today, we can literally push a button just about anywhere, in our cars and homes or even carry our music around on small digital devices. However, most often, we don’t MAKE our own music. Recognizing that technology has significantly changed how and what we do musically, this group of educators has made an attempt to “Get America Singing… Again.”
Each song in the concert will represent an inning of our baseball game. The announcer for the evening will be PRMS Principal, Gerald Beyer, and the commentator will be Joelene Weix. The guest soloist for “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America” and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is high school choral director, James Bjorklund. Be prepared to enjoy many familiar songs arranged for the choirs and to lend your own voice in singing songs such as, “I’ve Been Working On the Railroad,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “If I Had A Hammer” and “Puff, The Magic Dragon.” Mr. Rich Krause will play his guitar to accompany the crowd and choirs.
Admission to the All-American concert is free. The PRMS choirs are under the direction of Mary Waid.