After a two-year hiatus, Lakewood Area Choral Society (LACS) is very excited to
present this year’s Christmas Concert, “The Music of Christmas” at the Hastings
Performing Arts Center, December 19 at 3:00 PM. This will be the choirs’ second
performance in the beautiful facility. Songs range from secular to sacred, and will
include tunes for all ages.
The concert will open with “The Music of Christmas,” which features snippets from
several familiar Christmas carols. Other numbers include “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, the sweet “Shepherd’s Carol, arranged by Dan Forrest, “Do
You Hear What I Hear? arranged by Harry Simone, “Have Yourself a Merry Little
Christmas” arranged by Mac Huff, and “The Christmas Waltz,” with words by Sammy
Cahn, music by Jule Styne, and arranged by Mark Hayes.
Other repertoire includes “In Every Land Begin the Song” from Canticle of Joy, by
Joseph M. Martin, featuring a quartet consisting of Cathie Ott, soprano, Mary Kuhlman,
alto, David Parker, tenor, and Paul Schloop, bass. “In the Bleak Midwinter” arranged by
Keith Christopher, will feature soloist Hannah Bancroft, Hastings High School senior
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 choir by singing “Silent Night” during the
last verse.
LACS is concluding it’s 36th year under the direction of its founder, Dr. Robert C. Oster,
and is accompanied by Niki Reitz 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. WBCH 100.1FM and
wbch.com will live-stream the concert, sponsored by Bennett Travel and the Barry
County Commission on Aging. The doors will open at 2:15 and in lieu of tickets, a
freewill offering will be collected.
