Over 200 attend Wellsville performance “50 Years of Song”
By Kathryn Ross
WELLSVILLE – More than 200 crowded into the sanctuary at Trinity Lutheran Church or stood behind the doors for Sunday’s concert from the Genesee Valley Chorus as it celebrated 50 Years of Song.
The chorus was founded in 1975 in Wellsville in preparation for the Nation’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976. That group, known as the Bicentennial Chorus was led by Wellsville High School Band director John Molinari with his wife Iris as the pianist. In 1977 they renamed themselves the Genesee Valley Chorus and have performed under that banner for the last 50 years. They have had just 16 directors with high school choral director John Darr directing three times for a total of 12 years and music teacher Norma Bartlett directing for 16 years straight.
Those of the founding vocalists still performing with the chorus are Doris MacFarquhar, Sue Williams and our own Chuck Wiser.
Wiser’s original song Thank You Lord words by Wiser and music by former GVC Director Dave Dunbar was part of the program.
The 31 members of the chorus: Sopranos – Kathy Babcock, Sarah Butts-Manzo, Gwendolyn Davis, Nicole Davis, Sue Jackson-Mix, Dee Roeske, Amy Salmonson and Madi Shultz; Altos – Donna Butts, Karen Copp, Luann Cornell, Virginia Manzo, Victorya Mattison, Isabella Morris, Sue Ross, Kim Toot, Martha Wandover and Suzanne Williams; Tenors – Russ Allen, Bryan Caldwell, Alison Dickinson (president), Eva Hillman Matthew Hotchkiss and Doris MacFarquhar; Bass – Craig Braack, Michael Hillman, David Manzo, Dana Ross, Buz Stewart, David Toot and Chuck Wiser were directed by Matthew L.Purks-Morris and accompanied by Liz Crawford. The only solo was performed by Sue Jackson-Mix who opened the program with the Star-Spangled Banner. Noah Luthart played violin for the group when they sang the Ashokan Farwell.
The performance included a video presentation of GVC Legacy of Song which featured individual members of the chorus. They overwhelmingly declared that joining the chorus is like joining a new family.
The audience appreciated the performance and applauded after each number. Some of the favorites were Putting on the Ritz, Shenandoah, the Ashokan Farewell and a Broadway Spectacular featuring songs from Dolly. Annie, Fiddler on the Roof and Mame. The song America the Beautiful was also appreciated by the crowd. At the end of the program several vocalists who had performed with the group in the past, joined with the chorus to sing three songs. They concluded with the Irish Blessing dedicated to all GVC members both past and present.
A reception followed in the dining area where an anniversary cake and GVC memorabilia were on display.
Upcoming performances for the chorus include a June 24th, Bolivar Oil Day’s concert at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium and an August 15th mini concert as part of the Wellsville 250 Celebration on the lawn of the David A. Howe Library.
New members are welcome to join the chorus from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesdays at Grace United Church starting in September or they can contact the director at morissism124@gmail.com for more information.
