Concert to be Held to Honor Veterans
The Quincy Choral Society has been invited to participate in the National Memorial Day Choral Festival at the end of this month. The only choral group in New England to be chosen, the chorus, including 15 residents from Milton, will join with other choral groups from across the nation. The performance will be at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, May 25, 2014. On the following Monday, Memorial Day, the chorus will participate in the National Memorial Day Parade, singing in front of the National Archives as part of the opening ceremonies.
Conceived as a joint venture by the American Veterans Center and Music Celebrations International to attract greater attention to the true meaning of Memorial Day, this annual festival gathers choirs from across the United States to sing as a group in honor of America’s heroes, past and present.
Dr. Craig Jessop is the Festival Artistic Director. Dr. Jessop is a former music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force music programs, where he served as director of the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants in Washington, D.C.; commander and conductor of the Band of the U.S. Forces in Europe at Ramstein, Germany; and commander and conductor of the Air Combat Command Heartland of America Band.
An uplifting and inspiring program of patriotic music has been selected. Among the pieces chosen for this year’s concert are “Hymn to the Fallen” from Saving Private Ryan by John Williams, “An American Hymn” by Lee Holdridge, and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky.
The Quincy Choral Society was founded in 1981 for the purpose of bringing musical excellence to the South Shore and the world. Members sing with music in their hearts, performing diverse, professional quality programs designed to entertain, enlighten, and enrich the human spirit. Maestro John Nichols has been music director of the Quincy Choral Society since 1988. Mr. Nichols has been involved with the musical life of Greater Boston for more than 35 years as a conductor, composer, arranger, performer, adjudicator, and educator. Virginia “Gingy” Grimes has been the accompanist for the Quincy Choral Society since 1993. Ms. Grimes received her piano accompaniment degree from Duke University and accompanies various ensembles and soloists throughout the Boston area.