Voices & Vibrations: GRMA Presents Family-friendly Concert at EOU March 9

The Grande Ronde Music Association presents Voices & Vibrations tonight at 7 p.m. in the McKenzie Theatre at Eastern Oregon University, a community concert directed by Russ Carpenter and Daniel Durrell with Matt Carlsen at the piano. Admission is free and donations will be accepted at the door.

Voices & Vibrations brings together the GRMA Community Band, the GRMA Community Choir and the Eastern Oregon University Chamber Choir in a joint program billed as inclusive of performers from across Union and Baker counties. In its announcement, GRMA said, "this collaborative performance offers an evening of family-friendly music with performers of all ages from Union and Baker counties."

Performers range in age and experience, combining volunteer band and choir members with EOU’s student ensemble to create a community‑focused program. The Grande Ronde Music Association promoted the concert on its Instagram account, posting, "The Grande Ronde Music Association invites you to Voices & Vibrations, a special community concert featuring the Community Band and vocal..." to publicize the event to La Grande audiences, the post fragment reads.

The McKenzie Theatre will host another orchestral event later in the week: the Grande Ronde Symphony performs Music of the World on Wednesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. That concert has paid admission, with tickets priced at $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $5 for college students and $1 for students younger than 18. Symphony tickets are available at Betty’s Books in Baker City, Direct Music Source in La Grande and online through the Grande Ronde Symphony website.

Ahead of the symphony program, Grande Ronde Symphony is holding a pre-concert sneak peek titled Music Notes with Sam on Tuesday, March 10, from 5-6 p.m. at The Valley Venue, 115 Depot St. Tickets are $10; the event description notes, "Community members will have a sneak peek of the music that will be presented at the March 11 concert while enjoying a beverage and snacks prepared by Chef Merlyn." The La Grande Observer copy adds, "Also, Ross will share his thoughts on the music, along with notes about the composers."

The same community events roundup that listed Voices & Vibrations included other nearby options: Cook Memorial Library hosted a Winter Carrot Project presentation on Thursday, March 5 at 5:30 p.m., presented by Sarah West of the OSU Extension Service at 2006 Fourth St., La Grande; and the Artrageous fundraiser in Walla Walla, with $50 tickets, directs proceeds to Shelter from the Storm for emergency shelter, housing assistance, hotline support and advocacy.

Voices & Vibrations, with its free admission and mix of GRMA and EOU performers, is the most immediate opportunity for La Grande and Union County residents to hear a cross-county collaboration at McKenzie Theatre tonight at 7 p.m. Donations at the door will support future community programming.