A Civil War Portrait

Minnesota Center Chorale and special musical guests, Cristina Seaborn and Paul Imholte, will present a history of the Civil War in song.

In commemoration of the recent 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the concert begins with the build up to war in the free spirited era of the minstrel song, as such by Stephen Foster, in a medley arranged by Joseph Martin containing, “Camptown Races; Oh, Susanna; Some Folks Do; Beautiful Dreamer; The Glendy Burk; and Swannee River”. The concert proceeds into pre-war sentiment with a performance by the choir of “Testament of Freedom” by Randall Thompson, and a few songs written by Stephen Foster for solo voice and piano, such as “I’ll Be a Soldier” – arranged for the first time into a choral score by Keith Larson. Additional selections include “Civil War” Medley by Greg Gilpin; “Lorena”, arranged by St. Cloud native and Yale University Glee Club director, Jeffrey Douma; and shape-note song, “Idumea”, arranged by Richard Bjella. The effects of war are evident in the song portraying Mississippi women decorating tombs of soldiers from both the union and the confederacy shortly after the war in “The Blue and the Grey” by John Purifoy. The concert concludes with audience participation in singing “Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Peter Wilhousky.

All are invited to attend a free pre-concert conversation at 2:30pm at Calvary Church to be given on musical instruments of the Civil War, presented by fiddler/violinist Cristina Seaborn and string specialist/dulcimer/harmonica/banjo player Paul Imholte.

Members of the Central Minnesota Civil War Roundtable will have a display of information in the Lobby and be on hand to answer questions.