WARWICK — When Mandy Oliver participated in the “Jam for Justice,” a March concert fundraiser in Florence for the American Civil Liberties Union, she began to consider how she could bring the same model to Franklin County.
“It definitely inspired me,” she said. “I’d love to do my own rendition of this idea.”
The concert involved community members, including Oliver and her wife Kimberly Rose, coming together to sing, an idea which raised over $700 for the ACLU, Oliver said.
By a stroke of serendipity, soon thereafter Denyse Abruzzise Dar, a member of the Warwick Recreation Committee, approached Oliver about forming a community ensemble. It would be the first time Oliver, who is a fine arts instructor at Pioneer Valley Regional School, would work with the Warwick Recreation Committee.
The coupling of ideas resulted in a chorus concert on Saturday, July 29. Leading up to the concert, there will be 10 rehearsals, directed by Oliver on Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting June 28. All proceeds from the concert will benefit the ACLU.
“I love to get people together, and making music for good causes,” she said. “I’m hoping this is something I could continue to do for the community outside of my work with the school.”
Oliver said she’s compiling a collection of music for participants to sing, but the songs will be uplifting.
“It’s going to be songs of empowerment and solidarity. That’s kind of the overall theme,” she said. “That just felt like a positive, tangible project to focus on … Let’s come together and find peace and compassion.”
Rehearsals, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. will be at Warwick Town Hall on Wednesdays and Pioneer on Thursdays. Oliver said her goal is to have at least 20 people involved, and at least match the amount of money raised for the ACLU through “Jam for Justice.”
The cost to register for the program is $60 for adults, $40 for seniors and $25 for children ages 10 and up, a fee which Oliver said will help pay the band who will play music during the concert and several rehearsals. The location of the July 29 concert will most likely be at Warwick Town Hall at 7 p.m.
To register, visit http://bit.ly/2sp0OEv. To contact Oliver to arrange payment, email CommunityChorusPV@gmail.com or bring payment on the first day of rehearsal.
Reach Shelby Ashline at:
sashline@recorder.com
413-772-0261 ext. 257