News
The MCC Alumni & Friends Choir will take audiences on a musical journey through history with its upcoming performance, “250 Years of American Music,” on Saturday, March 21, at 3 p.m. at the Greenville High School Performing Arts Center.
Directed by Val Vander Mark and narrated by Gary Hauck, the concert will feature piano accompaniment by Al Bartholomew and Sue Snyder and showcase a lively selection of songs that highlight the evolution of American music across the centuries.
The program begins with Early American music from the 1800s through the 1890s, featuring pieces such as “Native American Thoughts: Give Thanks,” “Some Folks,” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home,” and “Jack Haggerty & The Flat River Girl,” which was written about Greenville and mentions the local Tucker family. John Hoppough, a descendant of that family, will introduce the song and it will be accompanied by local folk musicians.
From there, audiences will step into the era of turn-of-the-century Concerts in the Park with favorites including “Daisy Bell,” “In the Good Old Summertime,” “Yankee Doodle Boy,” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
The performance continues with the spirited sounds of the Ragtime Craze (1896–1918), featuring “Solace” and “Music! Music! Music!” before moving into the smooth rhythms of Blues and Jazz from the early 1900s through the 1940s with selections such as “Basin Street Blues,” “The Birth of the Blues,” “Blue Skies,” and “Jukebox Saturday Night.”
Broadway takes the spotlight with music from Oklahoma! before the concert transitions into a celebration of Country, Bluegrass and Folk. Selections include “Green, Green Grass of Home,” “Could I Have This Dance,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Rocky Top,” and “This Land is Your Land.”
The energy ramps up with Rock & Roll favorites from the post–World War II era, including “At the Hop,” “Let’s Hang On,” “Johnny Angel,” and “Go Away, Little Girl.”
The program concludes with Popular Music Into the 21st Century, featuring “My Heart Will Go On,” “Taylor Swift in Concert: Our Song,” “Fifty Nifty United States,” “Happy Birthday, USA,” and “God Bless America.”
Throughout the performance, audiences will enjoy solos and special vocal and instrumental features from a variety of performers, as well as an instrumental combo featuring students from Grand Valley State University. The concert will also include an instrumental combo featuring Randy Bennett on guitar, Connor Brendel on saxophone, Jack DeHaan on bass, Jason Holmes on drums and Al Bartholomew on piano, along with dancers Miranda Haywood and Michael Page Jr. Special thank you to GHS Performing Arts Center, Hailey Petersen for coordinating the GVSU students, John Hoppough, Production Assistant Jody Butler, Music Librarian & Assistant Leighann Fries, and costumes by Jessica Gilbertson and chorus members.
In lieu of admission, attendees are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue, and bring nonperishable food donations to support those in need. In addition, MCC’s Business Professionals Association (BPA) Club will offer a cash-only bake sale to support their trip to state competition.
For more information, contact Val VanderMark at valv.montcalm@gmail.com.
MCC’s Alumni & Friends Choir is funded by the Montcalm Community College Foundation’s Stanley and Blanche Ash College Community Enhancement Fund, which supports the college in developing and enhancing career training, educational opportunities, programs and services for students, alumni and members of the college community.