Throughout 2004, the Immanuel Choir was in training for their debut in large production concerts to be publicized In the fall of 2004, they presented their first community-wide concert, the Country/Bluegrass. It was a continuance of the 9 previous concerts in this hybrid idiom (bluegrass and country gospel merged with a chorale) presented at the Redlands Community Church all though the '90's. Many concertgoers who had attended way down in the Redland hearkened to the revival of the concerts, but now at Immanuel, in the center of the city of Miami. Several of the RCC choir joined us as guest singers. The concerts had switched locations and churches, but lovers of choral music followed that change of venue faithfully, and huge numbers of new attendees were brought into the fold. The church as always was packed to the very walls.
In May of 2005, they gave their second production concert, Sing In America. All of the special night concerts required 3 to 4 months of rehearsal, and a choir of about 20, which included invited guest singers, and for the Country/Bluegrass concerts, a 5-member bluegrass string band. The ancient concerts added an early consort of 7.
In the special concert series, all music was arranged by Michael Roy except of course, historical music, and an occasional stock choral piece such as "Battle Hymn of the Republic." An arranging credit is noted for Dixie in "The States Salute": Norman Luboff. Below are some selected cuts from Sing In America, which included two medleys of songs: "The States and Cities Salute," and "Trains."
Sing In America - June, 2005
Trains Medley
Sing to God: This medley of contemporary Christian choral pieces started off the concert. Diane Maltby is at the piano.
From "Trains"
Get On Board; City of New Orleans; Life is Like a Mountain Railroad - MR sets the
God Bless the USA: a vocal ensemble within the Immanuel Singers performs the Lee Greenwood classic. MR and Beveley provide solos.
atmosphere with an intro about riding the train, as a small child, into the Ozark Mts. Sally Baron starts the medley with a solo in "Get On Board." Beverley Murdock also chimes in before a seque is made to "City of New Orleans" (Steve Goodman, 1970) with a lead by MR. This section ends with "Life is Like a Mountain Railroad," with a spoken solo by Cindy Dean. The last verse is a lush harmonic setting that's pure choral excellence, reminding the audience that this is foremost a choral concert.
The States Salute
California, Here I Come; Oklahoma; Kansas City - Goin' Across th' Mountains: The States (and cities) Salute
starts out in the west with these three songs. MR gives the audience the lowdown on the States Salute. John Flynt sings
the solo in "Oklahoma." MR takes the lead in "Kansas City."
From "Trains"
This Train - Workin' on th' Railroad: in the folk gospel song made famous by Peter, Paul & Mary, Beverley Murdock sings the soprano
solo. The audience then gets to join in on the old Americana folk song about workin' on th' railroad. MR gets to play a little strumming banjo in the kitchen with Dinah.
From "The States Salute"
Georgia; East Virginia - Claudia Springer sings the solo in "Georgia." MR leads and plays guitar in the old mountain folk song, "East Virginia."
From "Trains"
500 Miles; John Henry - Claudia Springer sings the solo in "500 Miles." MR takes the
lead in "John Henry," with an interesting choral setting, and using the guitar to express the hammer strikes.
From "The States Salute"
Bowling Green - New Jersey Skit:
Hear the fine choral rendition of "Way Down in Bowling Green," made famous by
the Everley Bros. Then much fun is had at the expense of Diane, our pianist, who hails from NJ. Claudia Springer, PhD, supplies the hilarious Joisey accent.
From "Trains"
Peace Train - Get On Board - Finale: The Immanuel Singers interpret Richie Havens'
great folk anthem, "Peace Train." MR sings the lead and supplies the guitar. "Get on Board, Li'l Children" is reprised into the finale.
From "The States Salute"
Give My Regards to Broadway; Coney Island Babe; Gary, Indiana; Chicago
The NYC section starts off with a happy entertwining of "Give My Regards..." and "East Side, West Side" before giving way to a barbershop quartet manned by Chris Moore, John Flynt, Mike Verdesca, and Michael Roy.
America, the Beautiful - This unusual arr. by Erik Leidzen for choir and symphonic band is difficult and rangy, but the Immanuel Singers
were up to the task. Diane Maltby plays the piano score, which is actually a transcription from full symphonic band instrumentation. The Redland Singers performed this piece with the Greater Miami Symphonic Band in a Fourth of July concert in 2002.
From "The States Salute"
48 States Intro: North to Alaska and Blue Hawaii; Moon Over Miami - Heading toward
the finale, hear an odd combo of our last two states sung simultaneously; "Moon Over Miami" features Claudia Springer on the solo.
Concert Finale
Battle Hymn of the Republic (Wilhousky): This well-known choral setting has the combined forces of the Immanuel Singers and
From "The States Salute"
Finale: This half-hour medley rolled from CA to NY, picking up states and cities all over the south and midwest, we finally wrap up
the Barbershop Harmony Society. One hears the euphonious effect of all those men (in one place at one time) in the men's chorus section of the anthem. Diane M. is at the piano. Dean Vellenga is the precussionist, and Mac Cowden & Jan are the trumpeters.
the salute with "Yankee Doodle Dandy," solo by John Flynt; "Are You From Dixie"; "Dixie" (arr. Luboff); "Suwanee," solo by Chris Moore; and "This Is My Country," with this all-encompassing sentiment: "What difference if I hail from north or south, or from the east or west...?"
The Immanuel Singers present "Sing in America," 2005, featuring "The States and Cities Salute" and "Trains," a medley of songs about, well, trains. The Miami Barbershop Harmony Society were invited guests. The chorale and 16 barbershoppers joined forces on the finale: "Battle Hymn of the Republic."