Bayside Singers, a local community choir, will be presenting a pair of spring concerts entitled simply, “America.” The concerts will be held on two Saturdays in May. The May 3 concert will take place at the River City Playhouse in Ilwaco, and the May 10 concert will be held at the Ocean Park Lutheran Church on U Street, in Ocean Park. Both concerts are scheduled for 2 p.m.
Because the group’s director, Sue Wasienko, was unable to work with the singers this season, the board of directors followed her lead in choosing music from a wide range of American songs for the spring concerts. All of the songs are either about America, by American composers, or traditional American folk songs. Those range from “America: The New Colossus” to “American Anthem,” to Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” and Billy Joel’s “Root Beer Rag.”
Without a full-time director, the group enlisted five singers to serve as volunteer singer-directors. Those singer-directors include Bev Daily, Diana Mortensen, Pamela Klifar, Rita Smith, and Doris Swensen. Each will lead two songs, and the group’s performance will be supplemented by four special musical numbers by members of Bayside Singers. Admission to the concerts is by free will donation, with tickets available at the door. Refreshments will be served at intermission.
A silent auction will be held in conjunction with each concert, and will feature hand-crafted items contributed by singers and community members. The concerts, and associated auctions, are a major source of funds for the group, and will help defray expenses such as music purchases, insurance, space rental, performance fees, and salaries.
Additional funding has been provided through small grants from the Washington State Arts Commission, in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts, and through the South Pacific County Community Foundation.
In addition, the group is always seeking new singers, and anyone who enjoys singing and is interested in singing with the group may contact Bayside Singers’ president, Kathy Hanna at 360-244-1827. Neither auditions nor the ability to read music is required.