Scattered quips and laughter bounce around the rehearsal hall as Chorus members take a breather and chat about the music for the upcoming Spring Concert. “This is so cool!”  “Remember that commercial?  I loved that song!”
“Rock on!”  Director Candy Wilson exclaims, after the jazzy swing of “Shall We Gather at the River” or a rousing rendition of “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.”
The theme of peace, love, and fellowship will have audience members hearkening back to the days of flower power, and of soft drink commercials embracing the ideals of world peace. The bright sound of the hammered dulcimer, the timbres of the guitar, strains of violin, and the thrumming beat of the bass guitar will chase away the everyday, while the soaring beauty of “Draw the Circle Wide,” featuring soloist Kate Riedy, reminds us that we stand together.
“How many of us consider the ripples that go out from our actions?” asks one alto.  “Like the song (Ubuntu) says, we are who we are, because of each other.”
“It’s pretty inspirational music,” says another, “and says something we all wish for – that people could just respect each other and live together in peace in this world.”
“Music: The Harmony of the Earth” will be presented on Sunday, April 27 at 3 p.m. at Polk County High School.  Tickets are $10, free for students, and benefit the Rotary Club of Tryon Scholarship Program. Come, join us; you may even be moved to stop on your way home and pick up a cheerful bouquet of daisies for your neighbor!

– article submitted
by Julie Threlfall