The word is out! The audience grew significantly this year and showed its appreciation with a standing ovation. "Valley Harmony gets better every year," several patrons offered. And the addition of a student performer, trombonist Thomas Shofkom (15) of Newark Valley High School, was appreciated as evidenced by the loud and length applause. Soprano
Christina Salasny was as magnificent as ever, providing stunning renditions of "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess, "Somewhere" from West Side Story and "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" from Yentl. Aric Phinney's fabulous fingers dazzled the audience with a Franz Liszt "Liebestraum" setting of "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." And the big hit among works done by the instrumental ensemble was "Hava Nagila," with Laurie Holdridge on clarinet, Chris Cumming on saxophone and Aric Phinney piano. Tamara Heiss and Cathi Lozieri, both on flute, also add their talents on such beautiful music as "Color My World."
The concert was held at the Newark Valley United Church of Christ, Main Street, Newark Valley, NY, on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at 7:00pm.
This year's theme was "Gettin' Around Music." Set One was titled "Gettin' Around the Girls" and included "I Get Around," "Change the World," "Fire and Rain," "I Dreamed a Dream," "Stand by Me" and "Run to You," a new song written by all five singers of the a cappella sensation Pentatonix. "Gettin' with God" included "He Will Carry You," "It Is Well with My Soul," "Saints Bound for Heaven" and "Stand by Me." Set three, "Gettin' Around the World" included "Ubi Caritas" (Norway)," "Bogorodĩtse Dẽvo" (Russia), "O-re-mi" (Nigeria) and Plovi Barko (Croatia)." Finally, "Gettin' Around America" included "Shenandoah" and "The Road Home."
