Local musical talents welcome Spring with a lively concert and make scholarship awards

[April 19, 2018]   LINCOLN - Over 75 musical volunteers of all ages shared their musical talents at the Lincoln Area Music Society Spring Concert this weekend. LAMS was formed in 1986 as a way for musicians to share their talents with the community and this weekend they did not disappoint.

Performing Saturday night and Sunday afternoon LAMS shared renditions of well-known pieces including ‘Olympic Fanfare and Theme,’ ‘They Can’t Take That Away from Me,’ and ‘I Am Bound for the Promised Land’ along with not so well known titles including ‘Moravian Dance,’ ‘Autumn Leaves,’ and ‘Lamentations of Jeremiah.’ Familiar or not, the music was fantastic and had the audience tapping their feet or nodding their head to the beat.

Julie Kasa, director of the orchestra, received a degree in music education from Augustana College. She is an accompanist for Illinois Wesleyan University and Lincoln Community High School, and is the music director at First Presbyterian Church.

Tim Searby, director of the chorale, received a Bachelor of Sacred Music degree from Lincoln Christian University and a Master of Arts from Lincoln Christian Seminary. Tim has been a choral director, theatrical director since 1971. He also serves as organist for Lincoln Christian Church and Trinity Episcopal Church and directs the worship choir at Jefferson Street Christian Church.

Kasa and Searby invite anyone interested in sharing in the orchestra or chorale to watch for an announcement in local news sources for information about next season. For details you can follow LAMS on Facebook at www.facebook. com/LincolnAreaMusicSociety.

In September 2005 LAMS started offering scholarships to deserving young people of the orchestra or chorale wanting to continue their study of the music industry. This year three students received the scholarship: Alexandria Taylor (SIUE), Carrie Benjamin (EIU), and Taerynn Sablotny (Lincoln College). Donnie Parker, president of LAMS presented the girls with the scholarship during the Spring Concert.

Master of Ceremonies, President of Lincoln Christian University Dr. Don Green, ended the concert by asking the audience to rise from their seats as the orchestra and chorale joined together to perform ‘God Bless America,’ a great way to end an amazing concert of music for the community.

[Lisa Ramlow]