On Wednesday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m., the Hastings City Band under the direction of
Spencer White and the Lakewood Area Choral Society (LACS) under the direction of
Robert Oster will present a joint patriotic concert at Thornapple Plaza. The concert will
be narrated by Paul Ballinger and will feature a variety of patriotic music for both band
and choir. The show opens with the choir singing the “Star-Spangled Banner.” “God
Bless America” follows and will feature both the choir and band. The band will then
perform “With Malice Toward None” and “Last Full Measure,” which are narrated
compositions. A special piece, “Overcome” will highlight the Civil Rights Movement.
LACS will then sing “This Land I Love” and the hope for “One World.” This will be
followed by a tribute to fallen heroes and “Taps.” The band and choir will then combine
to perform “The Mansions of the Lord” dedicated to those fallen heroes. Then the show
will offer homage to past and current veterans as the band plays “Armed Forces
Salute.” LACS will sing “For Spacious Skies” featuring soloists Sheryl Haveman, Joyce
Carmichael, and Anna Williams followed by “Battle Hymn of the Republic” featuring
LACS pianist Ethan Holmes. LACS own three tenors, Jon Cleveland, John Myers, and
Warren Bishop will sing “I Love a Sousa March” accompanied by the band. The
combined ensembles will present the final numbers “America the Beautiful” and “Stars
and Stripes Forever.”