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The Sesquicentennial Commission will host “Then and Now: A Musical Portrait of the 1860s and Present Day” at 7 p.m. Friday, May 10 at Central Baptist Church, 300 N. Roan St.

Featuring various instruments and musical genres, the concert will also include recorded sounds of trains from this region. Musical compositions have been selected from the late 1860s as well as present day to create a “then and now” experience for audience members, allowing them to experience the changes in music that have taken place since Johnson City’s founding.

The featured performers, faculty members from East Tennessee State University, include Dr. Matthew Geiger (snare drum), Dr. Heather Killmeyer (oboe with electronics), Dr. Brett Long (cornet and trumpet), Dr. Esther Park (piano), and Dr. Justin Waller (trombone). 

Other events this month include:

  • May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Gray United Methodist Church, 2108 Oak St.: The Appalachian Men’s Ensemble (AMEn), an all-male vocal ensemble, will present a concert titled “On the Move.” The concert theme was chosen to correspond with the 150th anniversary of the founding of Johnson City in 1869. To commemorate this milestone, AMEn will perform a wide variety of songs relating to trains in honor of the historical connection of the Tri-Cities region to the railroad. Concert selections will come from a wide variety of genres, including jazz, gospel, bluegrass, and folk. The choir will also premiere a new arrangement of “Get On Board!” by Lou Dyar, written specifically to commemorate Johnson City’s 2019 sesquicentennial. 
  • May 18 at 10 a.m. behind Johnson City Transit, 137 W. Market St.: The Johnson City Public Arts Committee will unveil “Johnson City: 150 Years,” a mural completed by 10 local schools and art groups. Made of multiple panels, the mural depicts images that express what the participants find exciting about Johnson City.
  • May 27 at 9 a.m. at the Doughboy Statue, Memorial Park Community Center amphitheater, 510 Bert St.: The Kings Mountain Post 24 will conduct a dedication to honor all who served in the defense of or nation since 1974.
  • May 19 at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 105 South Boone St.: The Appalachian Men’s Ensemble (AMEn), an all-male vocal ensemble, will present a concert titled “On the Move.” The concert theme was chosen to correspond with the 150th anniversary of the founding of Johnson City in 1869. To commemorate this milestone, AMEn will perform a wide variety of songs relating to trains in honor of the historical connection of the Tri-Cities region to the railroad. Concert selections will come from a wide variety of genres, including jazz, gospel, bluegrass, and folk. The choir will also premiere a new arrangement of “Get On Board!” by Lou Dyar, written specifically to commemorate Johnson City’s 2019 sesquicentennial. 

For more information about the yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, visit www.jctn150.com or follow @jctn150 (Johnson City 150 — Sesquicentennial Celebration) on Facebook.

CONTACT:    Ann Marie French
                             423.434.6021
                             afrench@johnsoncitytn.org

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