RAPID CITY - Veterans Day is a time to celebrate America's armed forces. This year, Dakota Choral Union will help in the celebration with Freedom Songs, a concert set for Sunday, Nov. 11, in Rapid City.
The timely show, which will feature Lt. Col. Tracy Settle of the South Dakota National Guard as emcee, honors the U.S. military and veterans with special music celebrating freedoms and honoring those who stand up to protect them.
In choosing the works to perform, artistic director Caroline Brown's goal was to select a variety of styles but remain faithful to the Freedom Songs theme.
To that end, the concert will feature familiar patriotic music, a folk song, selections from musicals such as "South Pacific" and "Camelot," and, of course, the national anthem. A medley will salute different branches of the U.S. military, so all men and women in uniform will have the opportunity to be recognized.
Kantorei, Dakota Choral Union's auditioned small ensemble group dedicated to performing a cappella music, will take on more challenging numbers.
Special guests include the Central High School Singers and Stevens High School Singers, as well as a military trumpet trio featuring local musicians Milo Winter, Gary Hansen and Dick Dittman - all of whom have played in military bands.
There will be piano selections and even an entertaining "USO show" sandwiched in the middle. The final segment of the show is something of a prayer for the future, Brown said.
"There is something for everyone," Brown said.
But the concert is not just a treat for the ears. Via slide presentation, images including gorgeous scenery from the United States and pictures of members of the military in uniform will accompany the music.
"It's a real variety of wonderful scenes, beautiful flowers, beautiful hillsides," Brown said, describing visions to make everyone proud of their country and all it has to offer.
Karen Hall coordinated the photographs - which were provided by the Black Hills Photographic Society and the South Dakota National Guard - to enhance the message of the music.
This is not the first time the Dakota Choral Union has teamed with an arts group to supplement a concert's musical content; just last spring, the Dakota Artists Guild displayed photography in a similar fashion during a concert.
The group also enjoys pairing with other vocal groups such as local high schools, as in this concert.
"It's a good way to show off all the talent we have in the community," Brown said of the artistic collaborations.
"Freedom Songs" holds special meaning for Brown because her father is a veteran. She noted that living in a community where there is an active National Guard and Air Force base, "It brings it real close to home."
Everybody knows somebody in the military - past or present, Brown said.
Many of those, like Brown's father, are their own relatives. Attendees at the free concert will be asked to contribute to a goodwill offering, with proceeds to be shared among the various support groups for military families.
Contact Ruth Milne at ruth.milne@rapidcityjournal.com.
If you go
What: Dakota Choral Union and Kantorei present "Freedom Song"
When: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11
Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church, Rapid City
Admission: Free; goodwill offerings will be shared among support groups for military families
Details: www.dakotachoralunion.org
