In 1935, Mohawk Carpet Mills of Amsterdam established a Men’s Glee Club.

That group eventually grew into the Mohawk Chorus, a coeducational singing group of more than 100 people.

Although the official sponsorship between the carpet industry and the chorus ended in 1960, the ties remain. Mohawk Industries, now based in Georgia, is partially underwriting a very special MVC Pops Concert on May 15 and 16.

This concert – at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at Amsterdam High school and at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at Johnstown High School -- will feature some of the music that has been sung by the chorus, now an independent and self-sustaining organization over its seven decades of existence. And it will honor all those singers, directors and accompanists who helped create its reputation and build its solid foundation.

Selections include songs from Porgy and Bess and South Pacific; Both Sides Now; Waters Ripple and Flow; We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace; and Swinging With the Saints.

Brothers, a poem set to music by former director Carl S. Steubing, will be performed, as well as The Lord’s Prayer, which was originally sung at a 1960 concert dedicated to the memory of another former director, Reginald Harris. John H. Nethaway, who ended a 30-year career as MVC director last year, will lead the chorus in a medley from A Chorus Line.

Current director David M. Rossi will conduct all of the other selections, except for Brothers, to be led by long-time MVC member and retired Amsterdam music teacher Margaret Lazarou. She also directs the MVC Youth Chorale, which will sing other chorus favorites, like Bye, Bye Blues and Rhythm of Life, in its portion of the program.

Alfred V. Fedak is the chorus accompanist, who will be joined by guest performers, drummer Len Tobler and Tony Riccobono on bass.

“Celebrating: 75 Years of Song” is a very special concert that combines a look back at MVC’s history through the music and the stories of seven decades and looks ahead to the future, with a new director and renewed spirit.

Tickets for the concert, which will be available at the door, may be obtained in advance from chorus members or at June’s Hallmark and Old Peddler’s Wagon, both in Amsterdam. They are $11, general admission, and $8, students and senior citizens. Children, 12 and under, are admitted free if accompanied by an adult.

AMSTERDAM – Alyssa Pyle, a senior and soprano from Niskayuna High School, has been selected as Mohawk Valley Chorus’ 2008 scholarship winner.

Pyle, who plans to pursue a degree in vocal performance and music education with the goal of teaching at the high school or college level, will perform at MVC’s classics concerts this weekend. She will sing Les Chemins de L'amour by Francis Poulenc and How Fair This Spot! by Sergei Rachmaninoff.

The scholarship, awarded annually to a high school senior or junior for outstanding vocal ability, is worth $500 and may be used to further her musical education.

Pyle, the daughter of Rosemary and Monty Pyle, has participated in various select choirs and stage performances with Niskayuna high school and community theater (Schenectady Light Opera). She has been in New York State Scholastic Music Association programs' All-State Women's Choir 2009 and Area All State 2008-2009; American Music Abroad Honors Choir 2008; Soloist for St. Clare's choraliers and Union Presbyterian Church; cantor and choir member at St. Helen's church in Sch'dy, and participated in College of St. Rose Art Song Festival. She is also an Albany Pro Musica Apprentice and placed 2nd in North American music Festival.

Pyle plays piano and flute, takes Jazz and Ballet lessons with Orlando's Dance Studio, is a 3 year member of the Niskayuna Girls Varsity Soccer Team, and is a Camp Counselor for the Town of Niskayuna. Pyle receives private voice lessons with Corine Salon.

Thank you to all who came out to see the Mohawk Valley Chorus and Oneida Area Civic Chorale perform John Rutter's Feel the Spirit and Ron Kean's American Mass. MVC hopes you enjoyed the performance and will continue to support us in the future!

Please enjoy this video clip from the performance:


Excerpt from When the saints go marching in from Feel the Spirit, arr. John Rutter