Mount Pulaski presents 3rd annual Christmas cantata
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[December 19, 2011]
MOUNT PULASKI -- It was easy to get
into the Christmas spirit on Sunday in Mount Pulaski with another
excellent community cantata performance -- choir and orchestra --
with 38 members of community churches. The group is made up of
participants from First Christian, St. John's Lutheran, St. Thomas
Aquinas, United Methodist and Zion Lutheran and richly complemented
by several non-Pulaski musicians.
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It was the cantata's third occasion this year, with performances at
the town's 175th anniversary -- the quartoseptcentennial -- in July
and at the "twin tower 9/11" observance during the annual fall
festival in September. This time, its encore concert was at the
Mount Pulaski First Christian Church, in front of another large
crowd, and was superbly directed by Beth Myrick Anderson, filling in
for Claus Tanner, who is currently undergoing successful medical
treatments.
Anderson remarked that "it was a fun one" -- due to "so many
excellent vocalists and instrumentals." Rigoberto Ernst belted out
music from "Prepare the Way of the Lord," and Heather Fricke did
likewise with "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)." Other selections
were "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," "Mary, Did You Know," "No Eye Had
Seen," "One Small Child," "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "O Holy
Child of Bethlehem." "Silent Night! Holy Night!" and "Emmanuel, God
with Us" brought to a close the wonderful hour of Christmas music
performed by local adults -- young, middle-aged and of senior
citizen vintage.
During this holiday season, which traditionally features so many
wonderful musical performances by grade and high school children, it
was delightful to see and hear what Mount Pulaski's adult friends
have been practicing and performing off and on for so many years.
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In addition to Anderson, there was the participation of at least
three other accomplished Logan County vocal and instrumental
directors: Jaime Ernst, Harry Hild and Dave Helm -- all Mount
Pulaskians at one time or another.
The narrators were Mary Ann Radtke and Don Maxheimer, who read
the customary interpretations and readings of selected Scripture
references which provided much of the background for the Christmas
music performed.
A free-will collection was taken to help offset the expenses of
the event.
Appreciation should be given to Pastors Rachel Stockle of Mount
Pulaski United Methodist and Mark Weber of Mount Pulaski First
Christian, who spearheaded the occasion.
[By PHIL BERTONI]
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