Patriotic Sing, the beautiful. For the 22nd year, choir leader
Karen Crane is teaching the community’s children America’s
cherished songs at what has become a Morgan Hill staple on Fourth
of July weekend.
Patriotic Sing, the beautiful. For the 22nd year, choir leader Karen Crane is teaching the community’s children America’s cherished songs at what has become a Morgan Hill staple on Fourth of July weekend.
This year’s choir performance and singalong falls on a Sunday, but Crane hopes for a big turnout of children and guests at Britton Middle School July 3. Practices begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Britton Middle School and continue through June. Last year 115 students entertained families and residents at the free event.
Again this year, and for the last three, the Sing will also pay tribute to U.S. troops from decades ago to soldiers currently serving overseas.
“The children were bringing amazing amounts of donations,” said Crane, a music teacher at many schools in Morgan Hill. Children can donate items for troops as simple as nail polish or shampoo.
At the 2010 Sing, several volunteer moms brought notecards for the audience to write messages to soldiers that they then mailed overseas. Adding to the tribute, children wrote down the names of family members who have served to create a wall of heroes at several elementary schools. “To see the reaction to these stars and names of branches of service, where they’re deployed, has been an amazing experience. We had people taking pictures with the stars with their kids in front of it; grandfathers (who served) in Vietnam standing proudly by their children and grandchildren. It’s been really revealing for me,” Crane said.
On the morning of Memorial Day, past choir members of Crane’s will gather to lead singing at the Veteran’s Memorial downtown.
“The children who have sung with me are always invited,” Crane said, adding she even has a second generation Patriotic singer in her choir.
It is vital to teach today’s youth America’s songs so they aren’t lost for the next generation, Crane said.
At the Sing – and nearly every other Fourth of July event – the children will belt out traditional American anthems such as “God Bless America,” “This Land is Your Land,” and the service songs of the Air Force, Navy, Marines and Army.
“I’m really proud of what it’s become. It just makes me really proud of the community,” Crane said.
Want to sing?
Contact choir teacher Karen Crane at 779-0205 or al**********@*****ro.com. Practices begin May 31 at Britton Middle School from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday through June. There are no auditions and no experience is required. All children are welcome.
