The Appalachian Men’s Ensemble (AMEn) will present a concert titled “Echoes of the British Isles” on Friday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. at Munsey Memorial United Methodist, 201 S. Roan St., Johnson City, and on Sunday, Feb. 11, at 3 p.m. at First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E Church Circle, Kingsport.
The concert will feature many familiar songs from the British Isles, such as “Loch Lomond,” “Be Thou My Vision,” and “What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor?” Local writer, Andrew Ford, will provide narrative between the songs that will include the origin of the music and stories of the people who brought these songs from the British Isles to Appalachia. The music and storytelling will explore Appalachia’s deep cultural roots in the British Isles.
“Music is a unique connection between our ancestors and modern society. These songs that many of us know and love here in Appalachia are also sung in the British Isles. The music connects us to our common heritage,” says artistic director, Alan Stevens. “Andrew Ford has prepared an intriguing narrative that ties the past and the present together. Every AMEn concert is unique, but this is definitely something we have never attempted before.”
AMEn is an all-male vocal ensemble of auditioned voices from throughout the greater Tri-Cities area. The group is dedicated to performing a wide range of choral repertoire — both sacred and secular — from the late Middles Ages to the present. AMEn is one of the few male choral ensembles of its size to perform music of such a demanding caliber with a limited rehearsal schedule. The ensemble was founded in the fall of 2013 and has quickly gained popularity in the region. Dr. Alan Stevens, the Artistic Director, is also the Associate Director of Choral Activities at East Tennessee State University.
Concert admission is on a donation basis (suggested at $10 for adults and $5 for students). For more information, contact AMEn at AppalachianMensEnsemble@gmail.com. Singers interested in joining the ensemble should contact the chorus manager at the same email.