Gabe Stark
Reporter

The Grand River Valley Choir and Orchestra marked its 17th season with a patriotic summer concert celebrating American music and the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

The program, titled “A Celebration of American Music,” featured both instrumental and choral selections highlighting the broad range of American musical traditions. The concert was held close to the Fourth of July and centered on music connected to American history, identity, faith, immigration, community and national pride.

GRVCO President Nathan Vandevender welcomed the audience and thanked those in attendance for supporting the nonprofit community music organization. Barb Spencer served as master of ceremonies for the evening.

The orchestra was conducted by Raymond Linville, a 1984 Trenton High School graduate who is conducting his second concert with the GRVCO.

Linville spent 33 years as a band director in Kansas before retiring in 2022 and recently completed his fourth year on staff at the Platte County R-3 School District. He also has been recognized as a Kansas Master Teacher and Kansas NFHS Music Educator of the Year.

The orchestra opened with “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland, arranged by Robert Longfield. The work was introduced as a tribute to everyday citizens and remains one of the most recognizable pieces in the American concert tradition.

Other orchestra selections included “Shenandoah,” arranged by Jack Bullock; “Patriotic Bits & Pieces” by Mike Story; “Cumberland Cross” by Carl Strommen; and “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa, arranged by Isaiah Castro.

The choir portion of the program was conducted by Tyler Busick, choir director at Trenton High School and Trenton Middle School. Busick holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Central Missouri. In 2023, he was selected as the Trenton R-IX District Teacher of the Year, and in 2024, he was named Northwest Missouri Outstanding Director by the Missouri Choral Directors Association.

Sonja Wimer served as accompanist for the choir.

The choir performed “I Dream a World” by Andre Thomas, a setting connected to the words of Langston Hughes and the hope for equality, freedom and opportunity. The choir also performed “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor” by Irving Berlin, arranged by David Chase, drawing on the words associated with the Statue of Liberty and America’s history as a place of welcome for immigrants which has recently been renewed with the experience of foreigners coming to America for the World Cup and enjoying their stay in the US.

Additional choir selections included “We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace” by William Appling and “Saints Bound for Heaven” by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw. The pieces highlighted American spiritual and sacred singing traditions, emphasizing music as a source of comfort, fellowship and shared faith.

The choir and orchestra then joined together for “I Hear America Singing” by Andre Thomas and Robert Elhai and “America, the Beautiful” by Samuel Ward, arranged by Cameron Dragon.

Members of the Grand River Valley Choir and Orchestra represented communities across the region, including Cameron, Chillicothe, Gallatin, Galt, Jamesport, Kansas City, Laredo, Ludlow, Milan, Newtown, Pattonsburg, Princeton, Richmond, St. Joseph, Trenton, Weatherby and Winston.

During the program, Amy Guthrie, president of Arts Alive, spoke briefly about the organization’s upcoming season and its efforts to bring more arts opportunities to the Trenton community. Upcoming events include musical theater, bluegrass, community theater, a gingerbread contest and other performances.