Prince George's County Tricentennial

The Tricentennial ended in 1996. This site archives that history.

PG Tricentennial Prince George's County
Celebrates 300 years of history 1696-1996

TRICENTENNIAL CHORAL PROGRAM CELEBRATES "MANY VOICES, ONE SONG"

In recognition of 300 years of choral singing and music making in Prince George's County, a series of choral concerts and a workshop are taking place as part of the County's Tricentennial celebration. With the first joint choral concert in June, and fol lowing through a joint concert on October 5, and a workshop with renowned composer Alice Parker on October 19, to the final Massed Choral Festival on November 19, choral music lovers will have ample opportunity to take part, both as audience and as singers, in enjoying the rich harmonies of choral music.

On Saturday, October 5, 1996 at 8:00 PM, area choruses Chesapeake Chorale, The Chromatics, Knights of Harmony, Laurel Oratorio Society and Maryland Choral Society will each present mini-programs, and join together at the concert's conclusion to present Ron Warren's "Song of Creation" commissioned for the Tricentennial program. This free concert will take place at the Auditorium of The Inn and Conference Center, University of Maryland University College, College Park, MD. Special guest artists The Sunrise String Quartet will also appear, along with soprano Catherine Verrilli, in world premieres of string quartets by Joshua Bayer and Marshall Ocker.

Renowned composer Alice Parker, known for her career in choral music and as associate of Robert Shaw, will lead a workshop on Saturday, October 19 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Prince George's Community College, with early registration at 8:30 AM. Titled "The Early American Hymn Tune: Composing, Arranging, and Performing" will offer composers, arrangers, conductors, singers, and choral music aficionados the opportunity to try their hand at setting some of the wonderful old tunes and texts; Ms. Parker will draw from her wealth of expertise in recommending appropriate conducting and performance styles. Advance registration is recommended by phoning (301) 454-1450, TDD (301)454-1472; fee is $25 for Bi-county residents/$30 non-Bi-county.

The final event in this series takes place on Sunday, November 17 at 3:00 PM at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, when hundreds of singers from area choruses and choirs join their voices in a Massed Choir Festival celebrating 300 years of the American hymn tune in choral singing. Audience participation on familiar tunes and melodies offers everyone the chance to sing along with the choirs, organ, two brass quintets and percussion, in a grand harmony of song and spirit. The concert concludes with "Once More, My Soul" for double choirs, brass, organ and percussion by area composer W. G. Stokes, winner of the Tricentennial Commissioning Choral Competition. Contact (301) 454-1450, TDD (301) 454-1472 for further information on music to be performed; bring your favorite hymnal, and any copies of Handel's Hallelujah! chorus. Tickets are $6 General Admission/$4 Seniors and Students, and are available through Ticketmaster. The Show Place Arena is accessible to people with disabilities, and the program will be sign interpreted for those with hearing impairments.

Prince George's Tricentennial Home page.

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These pages were created as a part of the 1996 PG County Tricentennial celebration. Additional history resources are listed on the bibliography page. These pages are not being updated. They are now located on the Prince George's County Historical Society's web site. Contact links: web site manager - Society information. You can search the entire site through this search form.:
Last updated October, 1996