Lakewood Area Choral Society (LACS) is thrilled to be celebrating its 40th year of bringing excellent choral music to the surrounding communities. The choir is under the direction of Dr. Robert C. Oster, who founded the group in 1986 to provide adults an opportunity to participate in a large choir. LACS has consistently provided superior choral performances. Over these many years, more than 560 singers have joined or are current members. With varied repertoire including sacred and secular music, members gain new knowledge at every rehearsal because the path to excellence is application of good singing techniques and practice.
In the fall of 1985, Oster sent out notices to the various Lakewood communities that he wanted to start a community choir, hoping for maybe forty people. Eighty showed up! Since that time the choir has not dropped below that mark.
As part of the celebration for the 40th anniversary, LACS produced a promotional and recruitment video “Come Sing with Us” to give prospective new members a sample of what is like to sing in this semi-professional choir, as well as to promote the choir and its artistic impact on our communities. You could be the next new member! To watch the five and a half minute video, go to the choral society’s website: lacsmusic.org. The video link will appear on the home page. Membership is open to anyone with choral experience who loves to sing and who is willing to be dedicated to the LACS family. There is also a link that prospective new members can use to make an initial inquiry regarding membership. The 2025 rehearsal and concert schedule and a copy of the member handbook will be sent following the inquiry.
The first choral society rehearsal for the 2025 season takes place Monday, March 31, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the choir room at Lakewood High School, 7223 Velte Rd, Lake Odessa. A full slate of concerts is set for this 40th Anniversary Season: June 8—Sacred Concert at Eaton Rapids United Methodist Church; June 22—Sacred Concert at the First Presbyterian Church in Ionia; September. 28—Pops Concert at the Hastings High School Performing Arts Center, and December 21—Christmas Concert with the Thornapple Wind Band again at the Hasting High School Performing Arts Center.