
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 30, 1990                   TAG: 9006300223
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JEFF DeBELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

`LIBERTY' CANTATA TO FEATURE TRADITIONAL MUSIC

"Liberty, a Musical Celebration of Freedom," will be performed July 3 at the beach in Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

The work is a cantata consisting of patriotic and traditional music with narration on the theme of independence. Nonspeaking characters including Betsy Ross, a cowboy, Uncle Sam and Abe Lincoln appear at appropriate points during the program. The music includes a cappella versions of "Farewell My Turtledove" and "Shenandoah."

Performing the cantata will be a 70-voice choir under the direction of Jettie Harris of Moneta. Its core is Thee Chorale Societe, a choral group which grew out of last year's performance of the same work under Harris.

The program will begin at 7 p.m. with picnicking and entertainment by an old-time music group called the No Grass Band. Angela Case of Moneta will sing "The Star Spangled Banner" and Harris' chorale will present the premiere performance of "I'll Always Love Virginia."

The composer is Sandra Ford of Martinsville.

The cantata will begin at 8:15 p.m. It will be followed by a fireworks display.

Admission to the event will be $5 per car.

The program is sponsored jointly by the Smith Mountain Lake Partnership and the Smith Mountain Arts Council.

In case of rain, the program will be presented July 6 at the same time and place.

by CNB