A performance with tunes from all over the world can help to transport listeners to several locales.
Grande Prairie Singers present Songs for Wanderlust: Places Near and Far on April 3 at Faith United Protestant Church in Park Forest.
“We’re doing a traditional Mexican folk song in Spanish, an Italian folk song in Italian and also a French-Canadian folk song in French. Then we’re doing a couple of Irish songs. There’s a traditional song called ‘Laningan’s Ball,” said Susan Myers, artistic director of Grande Prairie Singers.
“We’re doing ‘The Skye Boat Song,’ which is a famous Scottish song. We’re also doing a Brazilian bossa nova called ‘A Day in the Life of a Fool.’ With the invasion of the Ukraine, a few of the choir members thought it would be a nice idea to sing in Ukrainian so we’re going to be singing ‘Prayer for Ukraine.’
“Most singers are used to singing in foreign languages so it’s not all that unusual. The challenging one is Ukrainian because we’re not really used to the sounds of the music as we are Spanish and French. We’re coming along and it’s sounding great.”
The concert also marks the first time that the Sounds of Illinois Brass Choir, which is directed by Rob Calhoon, performs at a Grande Prairie Singers event.
“They’re going to be doing about six songs right after the intermission,” said Myers of Frankfort.
“I thought it would be a nice idea to combine with another local musical organization. They’re a brass choir. There’s trumpet, trombone and tuba. One of the songs they’re going to be performing is called ‘The Wellerman,’ which is a famous song right now.”
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Myers said “Michigan Morn” from the folk opera “Michigan Dream” by H. Owen Reed is among the personal highlights for her in Songs for Wanderlust: Places Near and Far.
“‘Michigan Morn’ is a beautiful song. It was written many years ago about morning in Michigan. My grandkids live in Michigan so I have a special place in my heart for Michigan,” she said.
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“We’re also doing ‘Georgia on My Mind. We’re doing a jazz song called ‘Route 66,’ which tells about various places throughout the United States. The men are singing ‘Shenandoah,’ which is a sea shanty. I think it will be a nice mixture.”
Songs for Wanderlust: Places Near and Far also features “Wide Open Spaces” by Sarah Quartel.
“After coming off of COVID our Christmas concert was Welcome Back Home for the Holidays,” said Myers.
“Since everyone has been stuck at home because of the pandemic, now it’s time for us to get out there, venture out, travel more and see more of the world. That’s where I came up with the whole idea of exploring places close by but also places far away.
“We’re very excited about it. It’s going to be a fun concert. It’s a lot of different kinds of music from different parts of the world.”
Approximately 30 members of Grande Prairie Singers including Flossmoor, Frankfort, Orland Park and Park Forest residents are preparing to perform.
“Especially coming out of COVID, their dedication in coming together in spite of the challenges is just inspiring. It’s so much fun to direct them every week,” Myers said.
“They love to sing together and they love choral singing and exploring great music.”
Songs for Wanderlust: Places Near and Far features soloists such as Cody Marcukaitis of Peotone.
“He’s going to be performing a song from a famous English composer named Ralph Vaughan Williams. ‘Whither Must I Wander’ is from a collection called ‘Songs of Travel.’ It’s just a lovely song,” Myers said.
Leandra Ward of Tinley Park is another soloist for the concert.
“She’s studied music in Ghana so she’s going to be performing a folk song from Ghana. It’s about a cat and mouse,” Myers said.
“She’s going to be performing it on a native instrument from Ghana called a gyil. It’s a xylophone made of wood. It’s a really interesting instrument she’ll be performing. That is a highlight of our concert as well. It will be interesting for people.”
Songs for Wanderlust: Places Near and Far
When: 3 p.m. April 3
Where: Faith United Protestant Church, 10 Hemlock St., Park Forest
Tickets: Free
Information: 708-481-8684; gpsings.com
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.