An American Salute By Tri-Valley Music Dept.

MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS CONCERT  
                                           

  GRAHAMSVILLE--The American patriotic song "God Bless the USA" brought the large audience to their feet with a standing ovation March 29 during the Tri-Valley Central School Music In Our Schools Month Concert in the Bernstein Theatre.

  The school combined 7-12 chorus sang this concert ending song which was written and recorded by country musician Lee Greenwood with part of the chorus located on the chorus bleachers in front of the audience while the remainder of the chorus lined  the side isles of the auditorium. 

  A highlight of this song featured soloists Jesus Lozada and Rachel Adriaans.

  Historically this song was originally released in the spring of 1984 and was played at the Republican National Convention with President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan in attendance but the song gained greater prominence during the Gulf War in 1990-91 as a way of boosting morale. The popularity of the song rose sharply since the September 11, 2001 attacks and ruing the 2003 invasion of Iraq. 

  The March 29 concert theme was "An American Salute" and featured the 5th and 6th grade band and chorus, the 7th and 8th grade band and chorus and the 9-12 band and chorus.

  Kevin Giroux was the director and conductor of the chorus groups while Matthew Weyant conducted and directed the instrumental music. 

  Some of the featured songs by the 5/6 grade chorus included "Fifty Nifty United States", "Land of the Free" by the 5/6 grade band, "America Sings" by the 7/8 grade chorus, ""A Patriotic Festival" by the 7/8 grade band, "These Are The Times" by the 9-12 chorus and "Fantasy On Yankee Doodle" by the 9-12 band.

  The Tri-Valley CS concert program reminded their audience that Greenwood's "God Bless The USA" was released as a single following 2003 and reentered high on the country music charts.

  Greenwood said that he "wanted to write (this particular song) my whole life and when I got to that point we were travling 300 days a year on the road and were on our fourth or fifth album on MCA. " 

  The popular country musician said  "I called my producer and  said I have a need to do this, I've always wanted to write a song about America, we just need to be more united."

  The audience surely must have appreciated Greenwood's efforts, the message the song sent  and the great singing of the song by the combined Tri-Valley CS 7-12 chorus.

   A job well done by the school music department.                                                                 

Identification of the above photos from bottom photo to top photo:

Soloists Jesus Lozada, left, and Rachel Adriaans, performed during the singing of "God Bless The USA" by the combined 7-12 Tri-Valley Central School chorus at the schools Music In Our Schools Month Concert March 29.                                                         

Director Mattrew Weyant conducts the Tri-Valley Central School 9-12 band during the Music In Our Schools Month Concert March 29.                                                             

Members of the alto section of the Tri-Valley Central School 9-12 chorus performing during the schools Music In Our Schools Month Concert March 29.