(Posted Dec. 7, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Entertainment comes in a variety of packages at the Madison County Arts Council’s (MCAC) Sounds of the Season.
The holiday event is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at First United Methodist Church (UMC), 52 N. Main St., London. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 at the door.
The 90-minute program features the likes of Ciera Bierbaugh, who moved the audience last year with her rendition of “What Child is This?” Once again, she will sing and play the cajon, a box-shaped percussion instrument played by slapping the front and rear faces with the hands or fingers.
While Bierbaugh’s instrument is simple, Michael Schreffler’s is complex. Schreffler, UMC’s music director and organist, will play three selections on the church’s historic Johnson & Son/Muller pipe organ: “Berceuse Paraphrase” by George Baker, based on the tune of “Away in a Manger;” “Concerto in C major, BWV 595” by J.S. Bach; and toccata on “O come, O come, Emmanuel” by Andrew Carter.
Curt and Linda Miner, who appeared in this summer’s Arts Council production of “The Pajama Game,” will sing the playful duet, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” Among other performers in the line-up are siblings Ruth and Luke Peart and the Music Men of London, a barbershop quartet.
The audience will get a chance to be part of the show, as well, with sing-alongs planned of both secular and sacred tunes.
“The sing-along really was successful last year. We had many comments from people who attended, saying it really contributed to their Christmas spirit,” said Kevin Lohr, who coordinates Sounds of the Season with Stephanie Stephens.
Lohr and Stephens endeavor to make Sounds of the Season a fun-filled, fresh and uplifting occassion.
“And I think this year’s program will do exactly that,” Lohr said.
Proceeds from the event will go toward MCAC programming and events. Formed in 1997, the arts council is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing and fostering education and entertainment through the sponsorship and presentation of the performing and visual arts in Madison County.
In addition to Sounds of the Season, MCAC’s annual productions include the Young Artists Showcase, a supper club-style musical revue featuring dinner and a show, and a play or musical. MCAC also grants four fine arts scholarships to four students each year, one from each of the county’s high schools.
