Guitar band plays at St. John Lutheran Church

[October 25, 2011]  HARTSBURG -- Risen Son, a musical group from Peoria, performed at St. John Lutheran Church in Hartsburg on Saturday night, bringing a variety of songs and tempos to the audience of church members and community residents.

Music came from two guitars, a bass guitar and a flute, along with two female vocalists, Erin Calmer and Dawn Helgeson. Guitarist Brian Sharp also sang several selections and introduced songs as the band worked through the playlist.

The six band members are sometimes joined by two or three other singers and musicians, depending on their availability. Dawn Helgeson and her husband, Michael, have identical twin sons who occasionally accompany the band with drums and an electric guitar, but the twins are currently attending college.

Members of Risen Son were invited to play by Pastor Daniel Tuhy, interim pastor at St. John in Hartsburg. He provides interim pastoral duties for other Lutheran churches and met the band while serving as interim pastor at its home church, St. Paul Lutheran on Lake Street in Peoria, prior to his assignment in Hartsburg.

St. John Lutheran in Hartsburg hosts musical programs representing a variety of genres and invites community members and area residents to attend and enjoy the music. Refreshments are served in the church basement after each performance.

[By MARLA BLAIR]