Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 30, 1990 TAG: 9006300219
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACQUELINE B. JAMES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
For the past four years, Basham, a registered nurse at Roanoke Memorial, has performed at Music for Americans and then made a mad dash from Victory Stadium to work the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift.
This year's Fourth of July will be no different. Basham will be one of more than 100 members of the Music for Americans Community Chorus, which will serenade the audience at the annual Music for Americans celebration Wednesday beginning at 7:30.
Along with the chorus, the Roanoke Symphony will be featured at this year's event. As a special highlight, the Roanoke Symphony's 66 members, conducted by Victoria Bond, will accompany soloists from Mill Mountain Theatre's production of "1776."
The celebration will wrap up with traditional fireworks provided by William K. Craft, beginning about 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Basham said that singing with the community chorus gives her a special way to celebrate Independence Day and to share that celebration with others.
"Through the music we sing, we show our patriotism and love for our country," she said. "We have something to contribute that day through our music."
Choral director Stan Kingma, who will be acting as master of ceremonies for the 12th year, said he's pleased with the way rehearsals have gone.
"Everything clicks. The voices balance well, and musicianship is good," he said, adding that some 40 of the singers are new to the chorus this year.
Auditions were held in May. The chorus consists of people not only from the Roanoke Valley but from Martinsville, Blacksburg and Harrisonburg as well. They will have met for five rehearsals by show time Wednesday.
The annual event gives amateurs who enjoy singing, but who don't have the time to commit to an ongoing choir, an opportunity to perform, Kingma said.
The chorus will perform selections including "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor," "Let There Be Peace on Earth" and "God Bless the U.S.A." The audience will be encouraged to sing along with other popular American songs. Lyrics will be printed in the program.
Buses will shuttle people between Towers Shopping Center, where parking is available, and the pedestrian underpass near Victory Stadium. Buses will also travel to and from the municipal parking garages on Church Avenue and the corner of Reserve Avenue and Jefferson Street.
Shuttle service will run from 5:15 to 8:15 p.m. and again from 9 to 11 p.m.
Spectators are encouraged to bring blankets to sit on and picnic suppers. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed.
During the 11 year history of Music for Americans, it has rained nine times. Organizers say the event will go on unless there is a downpour. As many as 30,000 people are expected this year.
Music for Americans: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Victory Stadium.i
Music for Americans is sponsored by the Roanoke Times & World-News.
by CNB