Beesontown Singers to present spring concert
The Beesontown Singers of Uniontown will present their second spring concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 20, in the sanctuary of Asbury United Methodist Church. The group is comprised of 18 auditioned singers from the tri-county area, whose common goal is to preserve the choral arts for future generations.
It is most appropriate that the singers perform during the National Pike Festival, since the group derives its name and historic inspiration from Uniontown’s earliest founding by Henry Beeson, when the town was aptly named “Beesontown.” Beesontown’s strategic location on the Old National Pike contributed to its early growth and prosperity.
The Beesontown Singers, under the direction of William M. Dreucci and assisted by Jim Hutchinson, will present a program of diverse choral styles. Included in the performance will be Randall Thompson’s “Choose Something Like a Star” from the Frostiana Collection; “If ye love Me, keep My Commandments” by Thomas Tallis; Johannes Brahms’ How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place;” “Agnus Dei” from Ron Kean’s Requiem; “Psalm To The Savior,” a newly commissioned work by Pepper Choplin; and “Liebeslieder Walzer (Lovesog Waltzes) Opus 52” by Johannes Brahms.
This latter work draws text from poems in Daumer’s “Polydora,” a collection of translations and imitations of folk poets – mostly Russian, Polish and Magyar.
Brahms created 18 perfectly delightful waltz settings that would do credit to the waltz king, Johann Strauss, for whom he expressed great admiration.
Current singing members of the Beesontown Singers are: Linda Kay Jukes, a transition support teacher; Mary Kay Milliken, a mathematics teacher; Donald Hogan, retired domestic relations director; Sharon Brown, a physical therapy aide; Martha Oliver, a garden designer; Linda Orsted, a library director; Ray Lee VanSickle, a Spanish teacher; Catherine Petrucci, a physical therapist; Lisa Nehls, a physical education teacher; Ron Nehls, a multi-media manager; Frank Kurtik, an historian; Karen Dreucci, a special education teacher; Dan Silbaugh, a logistics manager; Judy Pupek, a registered nurse; Thomas Palya, a coal miner; Lucia Kovell, a restaurant manager; and Jim Hutchinson, a church organist.
Accompanist for the Beesontown Singers is Joanna Ball of Connellsville.
Kevin Milliken will assist her.
The concert is free and open to the public. Asbury United Methodist is located at the corner of Dunbar Street and South Beeson Avenue.
The church is handicapped accessible.