Lakewood Area Choral Society and Lakewood Area A Capella Choir to Present A Christmas Concert for All Ages
Lakewood Area Choral Society (LACS) and Lakewood Area A Capella Choir (LAAC) are excited to present this year’s Christmas Concert, “Christmas is Coming!” at the Hastings Performing Arts Center, December 15 at 3:00 PM. This will be the choirs’ first performance in the beautiful new facility. Songs range from secular to sacred, and will include tunes for all ages.
The concert will open with the fast-paced “Christmas is Coming,” arranged by Mack Wilburg, featuring Susan and Robert Morton on piano. Other numbers include the familiar “There’s a Song In the Air,” arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram, the poignant “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” arranged by Joel Raney, and “The Christmas Waltz,” with words by Sammy Cahn, music by Jule Styne, and arranged by Mark Hayes.
The wild and wacky LACS version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” arranged by Robert Oster, includes audience participation. Other repertoire includes “Carols of the Manger” from Canticle of Joy, by Joseph M Martin, featuring Jill VanZyl, Jack Vos, Joyce Reid, Jim DeYoung, and Kristen Kennedy, soloists. A quartet, Cindy Olson, soprano, Mary Kuhlman, alto, David Parker, tenor, and Paul Kuhlman, bass will perform a contemporary setting of “In the Bleak Midwinter,” arranged by Nathan Jones.
LAAC will perform several numbers including “Noel, Noel, Noel!” a madrigal by George Strid, the 17th century Latin motet by Tomás Luis de Victoria, “O Magnum Mysterium,” and the humorous “Throw the Yule Log On, Uncle John” by the fictitious composer P.D.Q. Bach, edited by Peter Schickele.
Other pieces include “Ding Dong Merrily On High,” arranged by Camp Kirkland, which will feature an antiphonal choir, surrounding the audience, “The Shepherd’s Carol,” a tender lullaby arranged by Dan Forrest, and “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah by George F. Handel.
The concert will conclude with the solemn “Night of Silence,” by Daniel Kantor, featuring Cathie Ott on flute and Cindy Olson on the digital keyboard. As is customary at LACS Christmas concerts, the audience will join the choirs by singing “Silent Night” during the last verse.
LACS is concluding it’s 34th year under the direction of its founder, Dr. Robert C. Oster, and is accompanied by Susan Morton. The mission of the choral society is to provide for its members an atmosphere that promotes learning and enjoyment of choral music and to provide for our audiences superior performances of choral music. You could be part of this semiprofessional choir as LACS is seeking new members for our 2020 season. Details will be available at the concert. WBCH 100.1FM and wbch.com will be rebroadcasting the concert on Christmas Day at 8:30 am. Bennett Travel and the Barry County Commission on Aging are sponsoring the broadcast. The doors will open at 2:15and in lieu of tickets, a freewill offering will be collected.