LAMS Winter Concert a delightful experience

[December 22, 2021]   The Lincoln Area Music Society hosted its annual winter concert on Saturday evening and Sunday evening. The winter concert, held in the auditorium of the Lincoln Community High School featured 12 Christmas arrangements, six by the orchestra, five by the choral, and the final number performed with the chorale and orchestra together.

The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Dr. Rich Knopp, who introduced each piece, giving the audience a synopsis of the composer of the piece and some history associated with the music.



This year, for the first time, the orchestra was directed by Calob Pluhm. He is the band director at Mount Pulaski Schools. He has a Bachelor of Music Education from the Illinoi Wesleyan University.

Pluhm is replacing Julie Kasa who retired from her directorship of the orchestra after the 2019 performance.

During the evening, Kasa was recognized by LAMS Board President Deborah Parker, who expressed appreciation to Kasa for her years with the orchestra, and presented her with gifts on behalf of the board.

During the course of the evening, the orchestra played in two sets, plus the finale.’ In the first set the arrangements included “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “The Skater’s Waltz,” and “Hark the Herald Angles Swing,” yes, “Swing,” not sing. The music was upbeat with a jazzy, pop style incorporated into a tradition Christmas Hymn.

In the second set, the orchestra performed “Jubilant Flourishes,” “Ancient Carol Variants,” and “All I Want for Christmas is You.”

Master of Ceremonies Knopp noted that the last piece in the set, All I want for Christmas is you, has become a Christmas stable and is the first song to be on the Number One Hits list across four decades.
 

Speaking about ancient carol variants, Knopp said that the background of the arrangement added a ‘marching band’ attitude to the collection of carols. Hearing the music, the marching band was indeed relative, but it was also reminiscent of a cadence one might have heard from the drum and fife corps that led soldiers into battle in the Revolutionary War. Regardless of how it is described, the distinct sound and rhythm added an interesting texture to the traditional carols.

In the chorale sets led by Tim Serby, the music was entertaining and included “Christmas on Broadway,” “Holy,” “Baby Born in Bethlehem,” “Mistletoe and Holly,” and “See Amid the Winter’s Snow.”

In the arrangement Holy, accompanist Kay Dobson carried the performance which was created to highlight the artistic talents of the pianist with the Chorale filling the role of background music.

The finale piece of the concert was Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from “The Messiah.” The music featured both the orchestra and the chorale blending together to make for an outstanding performance that brought the entire audience to its feet from beginning to end.



The backdrop for the concert was a beautiful combination of Christmas trees and poinsettias against the deep blue drapes of the stage.

The Saturday evening concert was well attended with couples and groups observing social distancing throughout the auditorium, and face masks were worn by everyone, including the members of the chorale and the string and percussion members of the orchestra.

In all, it was a delightful concert and well worth attending. At the end of the night, guests were reminded that LAMS will return with a spring concert. An invitation was given to anyone who would like to become a part of the orchestra or chorale.

The many sponsors and supporters of the LAMS on the whole were thanked and again it was noted that supporting the organization is not difficult and anyone who wishes to do so is encouraged to contact the LAMS board of directors.

[Nila Smith]