“I Want to Hold Your Hand” and lead you to your calendar to mark the dates for the Sage Valley Voices upcoming Tribute to the Beatles concert.
The concert will take place on Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 2:30 p.m. Both performances will take place at the Oliver United Church.
Imagine John Lennon’s vision of the world we still long for. Consider John and Paul McCartney’s big question, Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64? Imagine a day when you thought 64 was old.
The Beatles completely changed the popular music scene around the world with complex rhythm and complicated harmonies.
Whether it was their Ticket to Ride or Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, they enthralled a generation and spoke to them in words that still hold true.
All You Need is Love or Can’t Buy Me Love came from the classic album Hard Day’s Night.
Michelle spoke to the allure of the exotic. When you hear Sue Morhun’s solo introduction of Yesterday, all your troubles will feel far away. Some of you will also remember a yesterday in this community when Morhun played lead roles in the many musicals performed before packed crowds in the old Frank Venables Auditorium.
The favorite songs of the tribute to the Beatles concert will be a mixed slate of individual solos. They will include Hayley Shannon belting out Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.
Cindy Gilbert will present In My Lifeand there will be a variety of small group numbers too such as And I Love Her and Maxwell’s Silver Hammer.
All of this wonderful music will be led by the irrepressible Lori Martine, who never tires in her efforts to make music available to all age groups in this community. She will bring along some of her school choir to add extra spice to the Beatles event.
Lori has a right hand girl, Sandy Andres, to provide piano accompaniment. Sandy’s musical talent and ability to lead, correct and cover mistakes made by our various vocalists knows no bounds.
How can we not adore her?
I urge all music fans from Osoyoos and Oliver to come out to the concerts and revel in this very accessible music.
You can warm up your own vocal chords a bit too and plan to join the choir with some Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da and Yellow Submarine. Don’t be shy. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Proceeds from the door will go to worthwhile community programs like the Oliver Soup Kitchen. Food bank donations are welcomed.
Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. Yummy refreshments will be offered after each performance and there will also be time to sit with friends and reminisce about the days when the music of the Beatles filled the air.
MARION BOYD
Special to the Times
