Valley Harmony sings 10th Anniversary Concert

Nelson Mandela once said, “Remember to celebrate milestones,” and Valley Harmony plans to do just that. Ten years ago this a cappella men’s quartet sang its first full-length community concert. At 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, the quartet will perform its 10th anniversary community concert at Newark Valley United Church of Christ, located at 32 S. Main St. in Newark Valley.  

This “Jubilee” concert will feature favorite songs Valley Harmony has performed over those 10 years. The concert will begin with two songs the quartet began rehearsing Day One: “Under the Boardwalk,” popularized by the Drifters in 1964, and “A Welsh Lullaby,” a touching song with enchanting harmonies.

Over the years Valley Harmony has found many singer and audience favorites from the sixties. For this concert they have chosen four more from this decade: “In My Room” (1964) by the Beach Boys, “Happy Together” (1966) by The Turtles, “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” (1968) by Otis Redding and “Hooked on a Feeling” (1968) by B. J. Thomas. After singing these songs recently for McGraw House in Ithaca, a woman in the audience called out, “Don’t stop!”

But many favorites come from more recent hits, especially those popularized by Pentatonix. The concert will include two: one original titled “Run to You” (2013) and “Hallelujah,” composed by Leonard Cohen in 1984 but arranged especially for Pentatonix in 2016. Both numbers offer tight harmonies that allow Valley Harmony to show off its skill.

There are also two songs that might surprise new audience members. “Ubi Caritas,” though published by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo two years after Valley Harmony was founded, became an instant favorite as soon as they discovered it. Though it draws inspiration from the Gregorian chant tradition, it is decidedly modern in its harmonization and finishes with a glorious “Amen.” Then just for fun, and because one member is a tad obsessed with secular “Christmas” music, Valley Harmony will include “Let It Snow” in its May concert – hoping that it, indeed, will not snow.

Each year for this concert, guest performers join Valley Harmony in entertaining the audience. Aric Phinney, of Endicott, has delighted those audiences each of those 10 years with his piano virtuoso, both as soloist and as an accompanist for the other guest performers. Phinney studied piano under the late Dr. C. Nolan Huizenga at Houghton College. He currently serves as director of music at Union Center United Methodist Church. He works full time for CoreLife Eatery, helping to expand a locally founded, healthy, fast casual concept around the country. Besides accompanying the other soloists, Phinney will perform three solos.     

New this year is tenor Brian Clark. Clark teaches 7th and 8th grade chorus and general music at Union-Endicott, having studied at the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam and choral conducting at Houghton College. Clark also sings with the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton. A Chenango Valley graduate, Clark presently lives in Endwell. He will sing “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha, “Who I’d Be” from Shrek and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.”

Also new to the concert is Newark Valley High School senior, Farrah Fiacco. A soprano, Fiacco has participated in the school’s music program since sixth grade. She also sings and performs as Miss Blueberry at the Berkshire Blueberry and Book Festival each summer. After high school she plans to study law and government in the hopes of pursuing a career in either politics or law. Fiacco will sing “Who Will Buy” from Oliver.               

Valley Harmony includes Mike Sheldon (Berkshire) singing tenor, George Lohmann (Berkshire) singing bass and Randy Kerr (Newark Valley) and J. Ladd Yost (Nichols) alternating baritone and tenor. This all male quartet has done countless engagements throughout the Southern Tier since their founding in 2007, including church services and church and secular events in Newark Valley, Berkshire, Richford, Waverly, Owego, Apalachin, Endicott, Vestal, Candor, Spencer, Ithaca, Greene, Binghamton, and in Athens, Pa. Their repertoire consists of all sorts of a cappella music. They enjoy singing folk songs, spirituals, barbershop, swing, pop, rock, rhythm and blues, show tunes, sacred, and even classical music.  

A free will offering will be taken. Concert proceeds benefit outreach programming at the Newark Valley United Church of Christ.