Annual LAMS Christmas concert delights the audience with traditional and lesser known selections

[December 19, 2022]     Not everyone who attended the Lincoln Area Music Society Concert entered the Lincoln Community High School auditorium with a Christmas attitude. However, most everyone left with a feeling of Christmas Spirit. With a wide selection of Christmas music, the audience, young and old, enjoyed the orchestra and the chorale!

The Lincoln Area Music Society, made up of volunteers from the community, was formed in 1986. Both the orchestra and chorale are open to new members, and anyone interested is welcome to participate. For more information about either organization, follow the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Lincoln
AreaMusicSociety.

Caleb Pluhm, director of the orchestra, started directing in October 2021. Pluhm has been sharing his love of music with Logan County for over a decade. He pursued his love of music at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington and currently lives in Normal. His selection of Christmas music for the orchestra included those songs familiar to all, like O Come All Ye Faithful and O Holy Night, along with some not so familiar like Dance of the Tumblers from “The Snow Maiden” and "Fum, Fum, Fum." Toe tapping was happening by the instrumentalists and the audience alike.

 

Kay Dobson has been accompanying since the age of 11. She is currently the accompanist for the Jefferson Street Christian Church choir and worship teams and the LAMS chorale. Originally from Greenville, she graduated from Greenville College and Indiana State University with B.S. and M.S. degrees in elementary education, respectively.

Board member, Tim Searby, directed the chorale in 1992. Searby only directed one year and resigned from the board in 1994.

Searby began directing, again, in 2013. He has been a choral conductor, theatrical director and a musical comedy performer since 1971.

Searby chooses a variety of songs for the chorale: easy, hard, and fun, all of which sound great by the time of performance. For his last concert as director, he chose a variety of music including Various Themes on “Fa-La-La,” The First Noel, Sing We Now of Christmas, and Thankful (featuring soloist, Rachel Bright).

Searby and his wife, Lorna, will be traveling in the future, which will not leave much time for directing.

Searby was recognized during the concert for his commitment, creativity, and sacrifice in directing the chorale for so many years. His presence will be missed but he was sure to wish the chorale much success in his absence and encouraged those in the audience who might be interested in singing to join next semester, under the direction of Ms. Dinelle Frankland.

[Lisa Ramlow]