Hymns of Thanksgiving a gift to the community
Hymns of Thanksgiving has become a holiday tradition in the Treasure Valley. This year’s free public performance is set for Sunday at Qwest Arena in downtown Boise.IPT file photo
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
BOISE — It's a Thanksgiving musical feast and the perfect way to usher in the holiday season. The 2009 Hymns of Thanksgiving returns to Qwest Arena in downtown Boise Sunday for what promises to be another memorable performance from the combined 350-member community chorus and orchestra.
"Hymns of Thanksgiving began in 2003 with some random ideas based on my appreciation for good music and my love of Thanksgiving traditions," organizer Steven Ricks said.
"It seems of all the holidays celebrated throughout the year, Thanksgiving spawns more honored family traditions than any other," Ricks said.
If you go
- What: 2009 Hymns of Thanksgiving
- When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
- Where: Qwest Arena, downtown Boise
- Admission: Free, open seating (no tickets required) doors open at 6:30 p.m.
- Information: hymnsthanks.com
Pianist Del Parkinson, one of the most honored and beloved musicians in all of Idaho, makes his seventh appearance as a soloist with Hymns of Thanksgiving.
Other featured performers include The Capital Brass with Rachael Johnston and Lindsey Leslie on trumpet; Jennie Ficks on horn; Roy Olds on trombone; and Ron Berto on tuba.
Hymns of Thanksgiving is directed by James Jirak, Artistic Director/Conductor of the Boise Master Chorale; Associate Director Marvin Stallcop, who recently retired after a 40-year career in music education at Northwest Nazarene University; and Artistic Director Marcellus Brown, director of the University Symphonic Winds, director of Band Organizations, and professor of trumpet at Boise State University.
Foodbank donations
Guests who attend the free Hymns of Thanksgiving concert are invited to make a monetary donation to the Idaho Foodbank. You can visit hymnsthanks.com for more information.
Among the hundreds of vocal and instrumental musicians involved are a number of Canyon County performers. Jim and Megan Millard of Middleton joined the chorus four years ago, and their involvement in the musical spectacle has grown ever since.
"Hymns of Thanksgiving is like a huge gift we are wrapping up for the community to open each year at the holiday season," Megan said.
The couple first became involved through the church they were attending when their music minister told them Treasure Valley singers and musicians were being invited to participate.
"We went for the first time in 2005. I love it. It's a great experience," Megan added. "It really sets the tone for the whole holiday season. We'd never been involved in anything about Thanksgiving and it's just been a wonderful experience."
Jim, a member of the Boise Master Chorale, said the experience provides an opportunity for him to perform music that is different from the Chorale's.
"I know both the directors, and it's just been a great experience an a lot of fun ... very fulfilling," he said.
The couple agrees that the best part of their involvement in Hymns of Thanksgiving is the interaction with the other performers.
"We've met a lot of nice people. For us, it's really nice to give something back to the community and the way Steve (Ricks) has set everything up to make it available free on TV with no commercials is great," the Millards said. "It's such a novel idea that often, when he's looking for music and needs to have permission granted for the rights to use it, they tell him there's no charge."
Jim is a first tenor and a section leader and Megan is a first alto. She also has assumed duties as data manager for the Hymns of Thanksgiving, responsible for all applications and records.
Clarisa Borup, 24, of Nampa, is in her fourth year with the choir after her mother-in-law got her involved. The second soprano has sung in school and church choirs, but said she wanted to get involved in a choir that sings once a year.
"I really like it because it's a lot of voices and you get to perform with this amazing orchestra," Borup said. "It's a really cool experience, and one of the directors is from BSU, so I learn a lot every year."
Megan Millard summed up the feeling of everyone who participates in Hymns of Thanksgiving when she said: "We feel very blessed to be able to do this for the community. I believe in a comment I heard that says, 'People who sing get to pray twice.' And that's the truth."
