PORT TOWNSEND — The Community Chorus of Port Townsend and East Jefferson County will stage a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights legacy in spring concerts tonight and Sunday.
Singers 100 strong will present “His Light Still Shines: Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights and Songs of the ’60s” in two performances, 7 tonight at First Presbyterian Church, 1111 Franklin St., Port Townsend, and 3 p.m. Sunday at Chimacum High School Auditorium, 91 West Valley Road.
Concert tickets are $15 and are available at brownpapertickets.com, at Crossroads Music in Port Townsend, or by suggested donation at the door.
Thrown into the mix of civil rights music and protest songs are popular tunes of the late 1960s, including familiar selections from the Beatles, Pete Seeger and the musical “Hair.”
Director Leslie Lewis began her process of building a spring program by recognizing the significance of the 50-year anniversary of King’s death. He was assassinated April 4, 1968.
A genealogist and historian as well as singer and choral conductor, Lewis has led chorus programs commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, and most recently, the 100th anniversary of the national parks last year.
“The majority of our chorus members lived through 1968 and experienced it,” Lewis said. “The influence of the life and work of Dr. King was felt so strongly at that time, and has been with us ever since.
“I was just a kid then and probably did not realize the full impact of his life and death, but as I grew up and learned more about our history through the 1960s and beyond, I came to appreciate the power of his call for non-violent protest, for standing up for justice and equality, for determination and resilience.”
Pat Hartman, a chorister who also serves on the chorus board of directors, said she believes that the concert theme is still important today.
“It reinforces the basis of our democracy — civil rights, equal justice and opportunity for all.”
The spring program opens with traditional African-American music to honor the people who struggled to break the bonds of slavery. In her program notes, Lewis said it was the tradition of this music and its deep spiritual roots that helped sustain civil rights efforts decades later.
Adding to the singers’ understanding of this musical genre, a guest choral clinician from the University of Washington, Phyllis Byrdwell, recently visited and worked with the Community Chorus.
Byrdwell directs the UW Gospel Choir and is minister of music at Mount Zion Baptist Church of Seattle. She rehearsed the chorus singers, suggesting enhancements for the songs they have already been preparing.
“Wow. She blew the chorus away with her energy and passion,” Hartman noted. “I was proud that we all listened and learned together.”
As director, Lewis often looks to history for a natural “hook” for a program. She searches for songs that can serve as a centerpiece, then chooses other scores to enhance it.
She said that is a process of “shopping around,” ordering samples and sitting down at the piano to play and sing through arrangements to see what she likes and what will be suitable for the chorus.
“The powerful medley ‘His Light Still Shines,’ which pairs African-American spirituals with a narrative about Dr. King, is probably my favorite because of its historical perspective,” Lewis said. The Moses Hogan piece melds traditional spirituals with original music and a spoken narrative.
Chorus President Linda Atkins said she appreciates Lewis’ expertise in history: “And her enthusiasm and commitment to the chorus and how our audiences experience the music is amazing. I look forward each year to what she has chosen for the program. This year is no exception.”
Audiences should be moved by the King medley, she said. “They also will be tempted to sing along with the Beatles tunes.”
Lewis’ just-for-fun songs include “Let the Sunshine In,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and the “Age of Aquarius.”
Guest singers on the program include the Port Townsend Youth Chorus, also directed by Lewis, and Singers in the Rain, a men’s group directed by Sydney Keegan and Hazel Johnson.
Also planned is a short set of songs from the Justice Choir handbook, to be sung by an ensemble of chorus singers.
Lewis explained that they are contemporary protest songs that follow the tradition of those such as the decades-old “We Shall Overcome.”
Lewis gives considerable credit to pianist Lisa Lanza, who again accompanies the chorus.
“Audiences will readily recognize her fine musical skill. What they might not be aware of is her ability to always support the needs of the chorus — in very subtle ways — during rehearsals and performances alike,” Lewis said. “It’s like she can read my mind.”
Also joining the chorus are area instrumentalists Jim Goldberg, drums; Dana Africa, flute; Kristin Smith, violin; and Otto Smith, concertina.
“This choir is truly a community chorus in that those of us who are newbies can be successful singing with the more experienced singers,” said Carol Chandler, a singer new to the board of directors.
“I like to think that we are the heart of community,” Lewis said.
“Music brings people together, and it is a lifelong activity. We get to participate in something more powerful than its individual parts.”
For general information about the chorus, call 360-385-1402, visit ptchorus.org, or like the chorus on Facebook.
Singers in the alto section sing out while rehearsing for upcoming concerts that focus on Martin Luther King Jr. and civil rights. (Sue Reid)
