Morning Times - Mon May 12, 2008
Waverly, N.Y. -
Many traveled to Waverly High
School Saturday for the Valley Chorus’s latest concert, “America
Sings: A Musical Tribute to our Country’s Heritage and All Five
Branches of the Military.”
Director Clara Belle DeLill described the evening
as one of dedication in recognizing how the U.S. came to be a free
country. “It’s very seldom we find, especially having war in
the headlines all the time, people reminded that people fought hard,
lost their lives, and continue to do so to support our freedoms that
we sometimes take for granted,” she said.
DeLill added that the concert was not only
dedicated to the country’s heritage, but also to Pat Parsons, a
Valley Chorus member since 1982 who lost her battle with cancer Friday
evening on the eve of the show. Her late husband Don was also a member
who lost his fight to brain cancer on the day of their last concert,
DeLill explained.
A color guard kicked off the concert as the choir
marched to the front of the auditorium preluding the “Star Spangled
Banner.” Further recognition for those who have served the
country was given during a performance of “Armed Forces - Pride of
America” as narrator Chuck Carver announced each branch of the
military and those in the audience who’ve served stood up to receive
their recognition.
The youth of the area were also honored for their
accomplishments. In a Valley Chorus first, their annual awards to
local senior students who’ve excelled in vocal music and community
involvement were presented in front of those in attendance. Earning
honorable mentions were Sayre’s Luke Skerpon, Athens’s Contessa
Crum, and Tioga’s Alex MacDonald. The third place award of $100 was
awarded to Waverly’s Rochelle Carlisle, who wasn’t in attendance,
as she was traveling with the Waverly High School band. Earning $150
and second place was Waverly’s Derek Scrivener, while Tioga’s
Brandon Benesh was awarded the top $250 prize.
Sayre eighth grader Sarah Polinski was also
recognized for her essay “Why I Am an American Patriot,” which
beat out 110,000 other student writers in the VFW’s national
Patriot’s Pen contest. She presented the essay to a standing
ovation.
The following posted comments are from the
Morning Times on-line edition of the newspaper:
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Copyright
© 2008 - The Valley Chorus - Sayre, Pennsylvania 18840
All Rights Reserved
This concert was wonderful. We travel from out of this area to attend the Valley Chorus concerts. I always leave feeling refreshed from the warm, genuine people in this area. The military presence and remembrance brought tears to many eyes. The love of music truly shows through with this Chorus and its leadership. Having young people included in the program was such a great bonus. Thanks to all for your dedication to this chorus!!
Colleen Morseman