RICHMOND —
When asked how they heard about the patriotic concert by the Madison Community Band and the Madison Community Singers in the EKU Ravine on the eve of Independence Day, most applauded to indicate they learned about it from the Richmond Register.
That was gratifying for me, but I think the response says more about the kind of people who turn out to hear their friends and neighbors perform that type of patriotic music than it does about media effectiveness.
I don’t have any research to back this up, but I think newspaper readers are just more likely to attend the kind of concert the two community groups put on July 3. I must admit the type of music performed, including several Sousa marches, appeals more to older folks. Older folks also may be more likely to read print media.
My concern that younger people may not share such values may be a sign of my age, almost 62. I would hope, however, that all Americans, regardless of age or other grouping, appreciate the idealism expressed by the words of “America the Beautiful,” sung so well by the Madison Singers.
Some would say the lyrics composed in 1893 by Katherine Lee Bates naively ignore some harsh realities of America’s life and landscape.
Our skies can be clouded by pollution. Some of our majestic mountains are ravaged by strip mining. Instead of gleaming like alabaster, sections of our cities are blighted by slums. And brotherhood too often loses out to racism and crime, causing tears to flow.
Bates, however, was quite aware of our national shortcomings as she held up ideals to which we all should strive. America may be a land of gold, her words imply, but it needs to be refined with God’s help.
July 4 is a day to sit back and take pride in our nation, its accomplishments and values. But, true patriots don’t simply compliment themselves for what has been achieved. Songs such as “America the Beautiful” inspire them to continue working to fulfill America’s promise.
Although “The Star Spangled Banner” was written in 1814, it didn’t officially become America’s national anthem until 1931. The Navy began using it as the national anthem in 1889. When the dazed America doughboys climbed out of their trenches near Verdun, France, after the guns fell silent on Nov. 11, 1918, and gazed at the carnage around them, a battalion of soldiers in formation sang “America the Beautiful.” Katherine Lee Bates treasured that report until her death in 1929. Two years later, Congress selected Francis Scott Key’s “Star Spangled Banner” over Bate’s “America the Beautiful.”
Madison County is blessed with many talented people as the number of Tuesday night’s performers and the quality of their work showed. We’re also fortunate to have a facility such as the Ravine amphitheater.
Admission to the concert was free, but that doesn’t mean the event was without cost. The band and the Richmond Area Arts Council that sponsors the Madison Singers have expenses, as does the university, which maintains the amphitheater. Taxpayer support for the university is shrinking and the two community groups rely almost totally on donations.
Those of us who can only dream about having the talent to sing or play an instrument can show our appreciation for those who are willing to practice and perform for us by contributing to the Arts Council, the Community Band and other such local organizations.
Other facets of the local arts scene will be taking the stage beginning this weekend as the Berea Crafts Festival takes place at Indian Fort Theater, a play by Kentucky authors is performed by the Berea Arena Theater and the Rose Barn Theater performs Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labor’s Lost” outdoors at the Russel Acton Folk Center.
If that wasn’t enough, the Richmond Area Arts Council will conduct its third arts camp for children this week, and the Berea Arts Council will conduct arts camps for children the following two weeks.
Adults won’t be left out as Berea Tourism’s second annual Festival of Learnshops starts Friday and runs through July 29.
Just like our country, our community has problems to overcome, but Madison County is still a great place to be.
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