Dr. Henry Wolthuis
For The New Era
In the usual tradition of mixing the amateur with excellence, the community was again treated with the talents of local musicians and artists at the annual Community Gala Festival of Music and Fine Arts.
This free annual evening of entertainment was begun 16 years ago with the primary purpose of giving an opportunity to showcase local artists and musicians to share their talents with an appreciative audience and to bring together people from all walks of life to enjoy the common language of music and art.
Saturday’s show began with an art exhibition at 6:30 p.m. Organizers and arrangers were Mollie Wolthuis, Donna Basting, Carol Redden and Anita Lewis.
Participants included Alice Tetamore and Norma Johnson, oil and acrylics; Tony Hayden, photography; Stephen H. Young, woodwork; Dena Wixson, Anita Lewis and Camille Young, watercolor; Eddie Bennett, Metal Art; Eileen Seleen, Janet McLain and Debbie Dahlin, mixed and other media.
A pre-concert organ rendition of “Ah Holy Jesus” was performed by John Wittwer, and an audience participation of “America the Beautiful” set the mood for the outstanding evening.
The opening number was “Oklahoma” from Rodgers and Hammerstein, performed by William O. Lewis and accompanied by Henry B. Wolthuis on the accordion.
Among the budding young vocalists were Chaunte Meyers singing “Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera)” and sisters Afton and Taylar Rodgers singing “I Feel My Savior’s Love” and “The Melody Within.”
On the lighter side, Patty Gourley and William O. Lewis sang “The Swiss Hiking Song” and then in the German language, the “Liechtensteiner Polka” accompanied by Henry B. Wolthuis on accordion.
They added a humorous twist by donning makeshift Scandinavian costumes and Lewis removed his shoes and socks for “The Swiss Hiking Song,” some of the words of which include the Swiss Hikers going to the Wegas Fair, where shoes and socks were not needed.
We were very privileged to have the Village Green Trio come from Corvallis. This superbly talented group performed several numbers in two different segments, which were selections of Scottish, Irish and American folk tunes. Some of their numbers were vocal, and many of the others were with an assortment of instruments.
Colleen Dick performed with keyboard, harp and bagpipes. Melanie Place was the flautist. Kathryn Ronnenberg was on the fiddle, percussion and guitar. Their music and instruments reflected their Celtic background. The bagpipe was unique in that it was an under-the-arm bellows that were pumped to create the needed air.
It would be an understatement to express the audience satisfaction of this fine group of musicians.
The Catholic Worship Choir, comprised of Jody Seward, Nellie Markert, Gert Helvy, Tony Swan and Lin Gagner, performed “Because the Lord is My Shepherd,” “Here I am Lord” and “Lead Me, Lord.” These numbers were given added flavor with Tony Swan in the background with a whistling accompaniment.
John Wittwer performed two piano solos, “Reverie” by Claude Debussy and “Sleepwalker’s Shuffle” from the “Dream Gags,” by William Albright.
The Latter-Day Saints Choir sang “Take Time to Be Holy (Slane)” and “Jesus Once of Humble Birth,” led by John Wittwer and accompanied by Henry B. Wolthuis on the organ.
Prayers were offered by local pastors and priests, with the invocation by Pastor Dick Hill of Hillside Fellowship Church and the benediction by Father Henry Rufo of St. Helen’s Catholic Church.
Various comments through the evening were to the effect that music and art are indeed our common language, that we live in a troubled world and perhaps that if we sang more to each other we would have less conflict.
“Let not a day pass, if possible, without having heard some fine music, read a noble poem or seen a beautiful picture.” (Goethe)
We welcome suggestions from the community, of artists and musicians who may be candidates for future events. Please make your suggestions known to the organizational committee of John Wittwer, Henry B. Wolthuis and Mollie Wolthuis.
We want to express our thanks to all of the artists and musicians, to the organizers, to those who prepared delicious refreshments and helped with serving, setup and cleanup.