Memorial Day Weekend Concert for a Cause
on Martha's Vineyard, May 25, 2008

The exciting concert will feature the Martha's Vineyard Spirituals Choir under the direction of Jim Thomas, on May 25, 2008 at 7pm. They will be joined by some of the state's best singers and songwriters in this benefit concert for youth music programs in New Orleans, LA.

The performance will take place in the historic Union Chapel, built as a non-sectarian place of worship in 1870. Union Chapel's unique octagonal design rises into a soaring open cupola with stained glass windows casting a warm and beautiful light. Historically known for its excellent acoustics, Union Chapel has long been a favorite venue for concerts and recitals.

The First Parish UUlations, under the direction of Jennifer Kobayashi, songwriter Diane Taraz, concert pianist Sarah Haera Tocco, and members of the First Parish Choir, under the direction of Dr. Laura Prichard will contribute to this great event! $20 adult/$10 seniors/free for students under 12
Group participants from First Parish: Concert Organizers: the Prichards & over 3 dozen First Parish musicians

NAACP Spirituals Choir of Martha's Vineyard, directed by Jim Thomas

The Martha’s Vineyard NAACP Spirituals Choir is an educational performing group that showcases songs of the African American Slaves. These pre-civil war songs were communication devices that included codes as a safe means of sharing information not understood by the master. It is ironic that these slave songs were born out of the language of the White church. The authentic slave songs are truly North American Folk Songs, as none were composed. All of them came prior to the end of the Civil War with the exception of a handful which celebrated the Emancipation of Slavery in 1865.

To the surprise of many, Spirituals were not intended to be religious--however, religious themes were safe because they misled slave owners. Messages to and about people were embedded into the verses. The same characters and symbols reappeared in numerous Spirituals because they were intended to depict or convey similar information. The Spirituals in today's program can be separated into different categories: call for gatherings; the crossing; descriptions of slavery; The Underground Railroad; religious; the Emancipation; and after the Civil War concert arrangements.

History of the NAACP Spirituals Choir
The Spirituals Choir was formed in May 2006, under the gifted direction of James Thomas, and given successful performances across Martha’s Vineyard, Connecticut and New York. Slavery in the United States must be recognized for its shared history--owners and slaves and the intertwined relationships. The composition of the Spirituals Choir is reflective of this shared history, racially inclusive and diverse.