Bigfork students featured in Montana PBS special

The March 8 broadcast at 7 p.m. on Montana PBS will feature some familiar faces. The Bigfork High School Choir is among the 13 Montana high school and middle school choirs poised to shine in composer Tim Janis’ seventh “Celebrate America Across Montana” PBS special on Montana PBS, KSUM-TVand KUFM-TV. The show streams online worldwide at the same time.

Several songs in the upcoming broadcast seem made for a nation grieving for recent school shooting victims, such as Kurt Bestor’s “Prayer of the Children,” Tim Janis‘ “Move Mountains”; traditionals, “We Shall Overcome,” “The Storm is Passing Over,” “America the Beautiful,” and “Amazing Grace.” Hamilton High School delivers “Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal” while Hardin High School’s peaceful “Shenandoah” soothes.

The program closes on a happy note with the Sacajawea Middle School Select Choir joyfully singing World War II favorite “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” ending with the two talented soloists giving perfect military salutes copied by the back up choir.

Directors had the option of choosing songs from a preapproved Celebrate America index or performing a song written or arranged by the director or a talented student.

“Celebrate America” is an all-volunteer program designed by Tim Janis, PBS and music education leaders to give music education students the opportunity to record with professionals in a live television studio and share their performance with a wide audience on public television.