Choir sings patriotism through Beethoven

Javier Zazueta

A night to honor patriotism was on the evening of June 9, when the Pierce College Philharmonic Choir presented ‘The Patriotism of Beethoven.’

“I thought it would connect with the audience, and it did, by the response of the audience,” said conductor Wayne Gard.

Terry Danne was the artistic director as well as the conductor. While the San Fernando Valley Master Chorale and Orchestra performed several of Beethoven patriotic songs.

The program began with Randall Thompson’s ‘Frostiana’ with excerpts of ‘The Road Not Taken’, ‘A Girl’s Garden’ and ‘Choose Something Like a Star’.

Pianist Mark Richman followed as a guest artist performing ‘Choral fantasy Opus 80’ with solo ensembles by Sisu Raiken (Soprano), Theresa Danne (Mezzo Soprano), Cathryn Tortell (Mezzo Soprano), Dennis Rarnell (Tenor), George Sterne (Tenor) and Gabriel Wyner (playing the bass).

After a small intermission, the event continued with Donn Angelos narrating patriotism of the United States through the decades.

It began with soloist Alicia Estrada, Soprano, singing ‘America the Beautiful’, that was arrange by Dwight Elrich.

It followed to the 1940’s with ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’, being sang by the Satin Dolls, who are a girl trio group including Estrada, Toni Senatore, Soprano, and Theresa Danne, Alto.

Moving on to the 1950’s, soloist Sarah Eaton, soprano, sang, ‘Climb Every Mountain’ from ‘The Sound of Music’.

A folk song medley from the 1960’s proceeded, with singers Nicki Heyd, Mary Howard, Sage Knight, Penny Lopez, Diana Rosales, Michele Sperazz, Walt Stites, Graham Weakley and Leathan Lund playing the guitar for the melodies, ‘If I Had a Hammer’ and ‘This Land is Your Land’.

‘What the World Needs Now is Love’ went next for the 1970’s

While for the 1980’s, ‘Do You Hear People Sing’ and ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Miserables’ and ‘Close Every Door’ from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat were performed.

For the 1990’s and 2000’s, ‘God Bless the USA’, Chorus of ‘Independence Day’ with Holly Kling, soprano, and ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’ with the chorale and orchestra were played with guest director Wayne Guard.

It followed with, ‘Ode to Joy’ from Beethoven 9th Symphony was performed as Larry Bernstein did at the dismantling of the Berlin Wall. For the finale, Darroch ‘Rocky’ Young directed ‘Let There be Peace on Earth’.

“It’s been amazing experience,” said Estrada, music major and is in her third year at Pierce. “It’s been best thing that happen to me”

“It was a very emotional,” said Gard.” There was people crying”