Community choir to celebrate country’s 250th birthday with patriotic music

America will celebrate its 250th birthday in a few months, but before then community members will gather for a big patriotic concert in honor of this occasion.

“America, The Beautiful: Celebrating 250 Years” will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, at Theatre Dublin. The event is free, but attendees will need to pick up tickets at Bubba’s Tire Center, Citizens Bank on Hillcrest, First Baptist Church and Visit Dublin

“We need a head count for who is coming and we want to adequately prepare,” said Jonathan Peacock, the artistic director and conductor for the event. “We are expecting it to be completely sold out, even though it is free. Once Theatre Dublin is at capacity, we will offer a simulcast location in the sanctuary at First Baptist. 

“I don’t want anybody to miss out on this and the celebration and experiencing this event for those who really want to see it. If the theater is at capacity, they’ll be able to go see it on the screen at First Baptist.”

David Wilson will be a conductor, while Michael Dukes will serve as a program coordinator and conductor. 

“This show comes from the heart,” Dukes said. “We are trying to share with the community the love of America through songs and patriotism; just trying to make sure that people remember that freedom is not free. We have put the music together, the orchestration and all of the arrangements are going to prick the heart. It is really wonderful. When we heard the choir after the first rehearsal, we thought ‘Wow!’ It has really come together and it has been fun.

“We are excited about this,” he added. “We want the community to come be a part. Let’s come out and celebrate the country together.” 

Each conductor will lead different parts of the program. While not 250 years in the making, Peacock said the idea for this concert began about a year ago.

“I spoke with Michael Dukes about an idea about putting together a community choir and an orchestra to celebrate America’s 250th,” Peacock said. “We started talking and dreaming about what it would be. 

“Reaching this milestone is a big deal. It would be a mistake if we didn’t celebrate it. It was about a year of discussions and got all of the details finally locked together in January. That is when we sent out to invitations for people to join the choir. It has been incredible to see the response, especially as far as the choir goes.” 

There are 115 members forming the Celebrate Community Choir, with at least 12 churches represented. There are some members from Eastman, Warner Robins and Vidalia.

“It has been a really good to see so many people coming together to celebrate such a tremendous occasion in the life of our nation,” Peacock said. “This concert would not be possible if it wasn’t for those participating in the choir, children chorus and the wind symphony. They are bringing their gifts and talents to make this special for our community.” 

Approximately 50 children from the Northwest Laurens Elementary School Melody Makers, Southwest Laurens Elementary School chorus and the First Baptist Church children’s choir will also perform. 

“They will have a featured song on the program,” Peacock said. 

And there will be a wind symphony to provide the music.

“Most of these members are all from our area,” Dukes said. “We had a few call us and wanted to be a part of this.” 

Some of the favorites to be performed will include “My Country Tis of Thee,” “This Is My Country,” “Your A Grand Old Flag,” “Star Spangled Banner,” “God of Our Fathers” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” 

“It’s going to be a phenomenal concert,” Peacock said. 

There will also be a part during the show where those in the military will be recognized.

“We are not only celebrating the 250 years that God has blessed us with here in America where we get to celebrate all of the freedom we enjoy here, but it is also a time where we honor those who have served and sacrificed for this great country,” Peacock said. “We will do the Armed Forces medley and those who have or are serving will be invited to stand when their song is played.”

Later on in the concert, there will be a time where those who have lost a loved one in the military will be asked to stand while the band will play an arrangement of “Taps.”

“We definitely want to take time to give thanks for those who have served and sacrificed,” Peacock said. “Without them, we wouldn’t enjoy the freedoms that we have today. We don’t want to miss out on recognizing them.”