PLATTSBURGH — Dial down on holiday frenzy at the Champlain Valley Voices concert, “Peace & Harmony,” 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Plattsburgh United Methodist Church, 127 Beekman St.
“When we thought of a theme for the program, my thoughts went immediately back to what do we need to feel, what kind of things would we need as there’s stuff for the holidays, and just a concert to bring people together,” William Verity, CVV director, said.
“When I was first in the North Country, I went to the Potsdam Crane School of Music, but I returned to the North Country in 1998 and the most contrasting and noticeable difference from where I lived prior was the sense of kindness and community I found here. This program that we assembled for Sunday exemplifies the positive and the generous attributes that are found in our area. How community members support and care for each other. So I think at this point, we all need to recognize this kindness as special and inherent to the North Country, and this concert celebrates the feeling one gets living here.”
PROGRAM
The first half of the program’s selections are “The Song We Sing,” “Earth Song,” “Deep Peace,” “Sleep,” “I Dream A World,” “Please Stay,” “You Will Be Found” (from Dear Evan Hansen). Following intermission, the program selections are “Magnificat,” “Shalom,” “Guadete!,” “Mary Did You Know?,” “This Little Babe” (from A Ceremony of Carols) and “Bridge Over Trouble Waters.”
“Most of the music is fairly contemporary,” Verity said.
“Most of the music was written in the last 30 or so years. It’s all music that addresses what music means to people who make it and the sense of community that they feel being in an ensemble. Some of the music talks about the peace that we all seek out through making music or just seeking in our lives and interacting with other people.
“The program brings us into a point of sleep where in our sleep we dream of the world that we would love to live in. We have other songs that happened to address suicide prevention and the community support one needs to make it through.”
Behavioral health specialists at the performance include Bonnie Black and a representative from the Clinton County Mental Health and Addiction Services.
“So that way if anybody is so moved in the concert and would like to seek help and support, there will be professionals there who will be able to guide them,” Verity said.
“One of our closing songs is ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters.’ The entire concept is when somebody is feeling weary, there’s somebody there to support them and help them get through. That’s I believe one of our greatest attributes in the area that we live in. We have people that are kind and generous and supportive and a true community.”
Tickets $20 adults and $10 children can be purchased at the door or in advance at Jackson & Callie, 164 Boynton Ave., Plattsburgh, or from any Champlain Valley Voices choir member.
“It’s think it’s going to be a concert that will; be very emotional,” Verity said.
“But I also believe that people will enter the concert and be able to sit back and relax and enjoy really peaceful, loving music but also leave feeling really inspired and energized by incredible lyrics and moving performance by the choir. They’re amazing. They will feel uplifted and energized.
“I’m looking forward to sharing this incredible music and this incredible ensemble with the community. It will be a real special time to be together.”