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Frequenly
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What is the Mt. Anthems Mixed Chorus?
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The Mountain Anthems Mixed Chorus is an A Cappella gospel choir of mixed voices. The motto of the Chorus is "Sing Unto the Lord." We travel and sing because God has given us the ministry of strengthening and encouraging churches as we praise His name. It is our joy and privilege to sing in His service.
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What kind of music does the choir sing?
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Mostly hymns and gospel songs. We sing A Cappella, which means that we sing without any instrumental accompaniment. We use a device called a "pitch pipe" to find the key of song we want to sing, hum the opening chord to make sure we're all together, and start singing.
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Where is the Mt. Anthems home?
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The Mt. Anthems hail from the Allegheny Mountains of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and Garrett County, Maryland. The Mason-Dixon line between Maryland and Pennsylvania passes about 5 miles south of our home base. This peaceful rural community lies at an altitude of roughly 3000 feet with beautiful scenery just about everywhere you turn.
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Is the Mt. Anthems choir an independent organization? What organization sponsors or has oversight of the Mt. Anthems?
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The Mt. Anthems chorus is a ministry of Mountain View Mennonite Church, Salisbury, Pennsylvania. The Chorus is financially self-supporting and has an independent organizational structure, but we are commissioned by the church and hold ourselves accountable to the church and its pastoral team.
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How many singers are in the choir?
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The Mt. Anthems average about 45 in number. We are rarely able to travel all at the same time, because of various commitments, but there are usually at least 35 who can travel on any particular trip. The director, the bus drivers, and all other personnel serve on a voluntary basis with no personal remuneration. We have occasionally hired a relief driver for extended trips.
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Who is the director?
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Menno Beachy has been the director of the Mt. Anthems every since they have started singing together almost 40 years ago.
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How did the Mt. Anthems choir get started?
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In the mid 1950's, the Mountain View Youth Group asked Menno Beachy to teach them basic rudiments in music and shaped notes. We called it singing school. In 1960 churches began calling Menno and asking the youth group to sing for them. It seemed the Lord was pushing us over a precipice, because we had no intentions of becoming a singing group for the public. It became a ministry ordained of God without the help of man. In 1969 the MEN'S CHORUS produced their first and only recording. In 1970 the MIXED CHORUS produced their first recording. By now we needed a name for our recordings. The name MOUNTAIN ANTHEMS was chosen. As of 2000, we have a total of eighteen recordings.
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How are the singers selected today?
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The singers are not auditioned and vary in age from 15 to 50. Age is of little importance, but a redeemed and perfect heart before God is a requirement--NO EXCEPTIONS. A prospective singer lets Menno know that he or she is interested in joining the chorus. Depending on the age of the individual, Menno may check with the parents to make sure that the maturity necessary for this kind of work has been demonstrated at home. The new member begins singing in our rehearsals and traveling with us until he feels ready to begin singing with us in concert.
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How can you sing so WELL? Why do you sing so POORLY?
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Very few of our singers have any professional voice training at all. The conservative Mennonite culture in which we have grown up values the unaccompanied human voice, so all singing in public worship is done in four-part A Cappella harmony (see "What kind of music does the choir sing?"). We have learned our method of singing by our exposure to it from earliest childhood. Most of us have learned some rudiments of musical theory on our own or in grade school. Our primary focus, though, is on the clarity of our singing. We want you to be able to understand every word we sing.
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Where do you practice? How often do you practice?
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In 1976 we built a rehearsal center with a bus garage at one end adjacent to the Mountain View church house . We have rehearsal once a week on Thursday evenings from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm (or 9:30 or 10:00 or...). If you happen to be in the area, you're welcome to stop in and listen to us. You'll probably be bored, since we sing the same song over and over and over...But that's your problem. During the winter months (November through February) we stop all traveling, concerts, and rehearsals.
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How many songs can the group perform?
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We can draw from a repertoire of well over 200 songs. Our concerts are never the same twice. During a concert, the Chorus never knows what the next song will be that the director will ask us to sing. Sometimes we do well, and sometimes we....don't.
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How long have the Mt. Anthems been performing?
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The Mt. Anthems have been singing in other churches, etc. since the early 1960's. Since 1974 we've been singing every other weekend from February to November.
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What is the Mt. Anthems schedule?
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The Mt. Anthems give concerts every other weekend from February till November. Over the winter, we take a break. To see this year's schedule, visit the tour page. Once every two or three years, we will take longer tours of approximately ten days duration. We are constantly booked about 1 1/2 years in advance. During the winter months we disperse for a rest from travel and rehearsal. We give about 65 concerts a year and have ministered in 25 states, Canada, and Washington DC.
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How does the choir travel?
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Up to 1974 we traveled in cars and vans. In 1974 we bought our first Greyhound coach with money from freewill offerings and recording sales. Currently, we are using our third coach (a 96A3, 1984 model for those who are interested) that seats 47 passengers. Getting all of our equipment, luggage, and carry-on baggage into it can be a challenge.
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What do the Mt. Anthems charge for a concert?
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We make no charge for our concerts, but a freewill offering is accepted if you wish to give one. We do ask that you provide a meal for the Chorus. On weekend and extended trips, we request that lodging be provided as well.
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Would the Mt. Anthems sing in my church?
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We'd love to. We try to serve every church that asks us to come, but on a practical level it is not always possible.
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How can I schedule a concert in my church?
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We do our own booking, but we don't solicit churches; they need to ask for us. Have a person from your church with the proper authority contact Menno Beachy (see contact page), the director, and let him know what you would like. We'll do our best to accommodate you.
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Do all the members of the Mt. Anthems chorus attend this same church?
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Occasionally members will join from other local churches, but the overwhelming majority of our members comes from this church. Parents, other family members, and the entire Mountain View church make many sacrifices to permit us to travel as frequently as we do. The church has approximately 200 members; we leave a large hole in the church when we travel.
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What do the Mt. Anthems sound like?
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Go to our Recordings section and listen to some of the sound clips available there. Or come to one of our concerts and hear us in person.
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Where can I get Mt. Anthems music?
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Our recordings are available at all our concerts. You can also order your music online if you wish.
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