Ebenezer Reformed Church, 309 E. Park Street, Morrison, IL, invites the community to prepare for Christmas, by attending its 4th Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday afternoon, December 8, 2024. “Be Still, and Know That I Am God” is a free event, that will begin at 4:00 p.m. Featured are local and regional musicians, soloists, and duets, in a unique blend of Advent-themed performances. Instrumentals include piano, guitars, drums, violin, and organ.
Parking, an accessible entrance, and an elevator to the Sanctuary are at the rear of the Church, on E. South Street. A Nursery will be provided. Enjoy cookies after the performances.
Jon Kophamer develops the music programs. As a member of the Music Committee, he suggested to Joyce Hamstra and Michelle Renkes, “Let’s try a Christmas concert.” To find performers, he talks to these women and others. “We alternate vocalists with musicians. We started four years ago; I hope it continues,” he stated.
The following performers introduced themselves.
Mark Demmin II
“I am a professional Baritone soloist, who has been honored to perform at this concert
twice before this year’s. My connection goes back to when Pastor Bean was my Youth Pastor, almost 30 years ago in Naperville, IL. We reconnected when he became Pastor at Ebenezer. He has engaged me as Sunday morning worship Song Leader occasionally, over the past three years.
“I have been performing my whole life, since about age four, when I first sang in public 44 years ago. Professionally, I have sung almost 25 years.
“My talent is God-given. First as a boy soprano and then about eighth grade, dropping to the baritone range. In high school, I was part of the Vocal Music
Department of Waubonsie Valley High School (Aurora, IL,) for four years. I had several years of private vocal coaching.
“My favorite genres of music are the Romantic and Modern Symphonic periods; big
bands and jazz artists of the 1920s-to-the-1960s; vocalists of the American songbook.
“I have had the honor and privilege of performing at several prestigious
venues with some of our Nation’s greatest concert organists. I am simply a
modern day crooner.”
Sarah Frost Questionnaire for Christmas Concert performers:
Vocalist or musician? Musician. Which instrument? Piano.
Have you performed in this concert before? Yes; this will be my third year.
How did you get connected to this Concert? I used to be a member of Ebenezer and played for a service a few years ago.
How long have you been performing? about 35 years.
Where did you train? Private lessons with Helen Dixon.
Favorite music genre of music to listen to? I like an eclectic mix of just about everything, except country music!
Favorite music genre to perform? Classical, jazz, and gospel.
Molly Jacobs Questionnaire for Christmas Concert performers:
Vocalist or musician? Musician. Which instrument? Violin.
Have you performed in this concert before? I performed in this concert once before, in the 2023 Christmas Concert. I played violin with the Brethren in Christ Band.
How did you get connected to this Concert? The Brethren in Christ band connected me to this concert.
How long have you been performing? I have been playing the violin for 21 or 22 years. I started playing the violin at age 3 and continued my entire life.
Where did you train? I first started learning at the Lawrence Academy of Music in Appleton, WI, from ages 3-to-8. I truly believe that initial training at such a serious academy set me on the trajectory to become the musician I am today. After that, my family moved around a lot when I was little, so I have a variety of different teachers throughout the years. In High School, I trained under Andrew Calhoun.I earned a Music Education degree from Olivet Nazarene University, where I studied violin under Rachael Jacklin.
Favorite music genre of music to listen to? I am a big fan of both folk music and rock and roll!
Favorite music genre to perform? I love performing lots of different kinds of music! When playing with others, I love playing in folk/country bands. When playing solo, I prefer to play more classically reminiscent music, as it makes the violin really shine!
Kevin Howell Questionnaire for Christmas Concert performers:
Vocalist or musician? Vocalist and Musician. Which instrument? Guitar and Piano.
Have you performed in this concert before? Last year.
How long have you been performing: I have helped with music in church most of my life.
Where did you train? I started taking piano lessons in Mobile, AL, in First Grade.
Who did you train under? I took lessons on guitar in the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL.
Favorite music genre of music to listen to? Contemporary Christian.
Favorite music genre to perform? Contemporary Christian.
Mike Mills Questionnaire for Christmas Concert performers:
Vocalist or musician? Musician. Which instrument? Guitar.
Have you performed in this concert before? No.
How did you get connected to this Concert? I was invited by Jon Kophamer.
How long have you been performing? 25 years, off and on.
Where did you train? Guitar lessons for a short time early on, then a lot of informal assistance from family and friends.
Who did you train under? Nick Pell and Chris Mills.
Favorite genre of music to listen to? Depends on the day; anywhere from Christian to classic rock, heavy metal, or pop occasionally.
Favorite genre of music to perform? Rock.
Jane Steele Hardin Questionnaire for Christmas Concert performers:
Vocalist or musician? Musician. Which instrument? Piano.
Have you performed in this concert before? Yes, once.
How did you get connected to this Concert? Jon Kophamer, a classmate, invited me to play, when we were at our class reunion in 2023.
How long have you been performing? I started taking lessons from Mrs. Ardith Paul when I was 9, so roughly 60 years.
Where did you train? After high school I attended NIU in Dekalb, IL.
Who did you train under? I studied under Dr. Floyd. Mrs. Paul continued studying at NIU under Dr. Walker. So many of her students went to NIU.
Favorite genre of music to listen to? I love most easy listening music, oldies and Christian, the Gaithers, and especially the newer groups that are prevalent on Christian radio.
Favorite genre of music to perform? Because I play every Sunday at my church, I play mostly Christian music. I play for weddings, funerals, and in the Praise Band, as well as an occasional local event, and once in a local play. Playing for weddings and funerals occasionally requires secular music. I even played “Ring of Fire” for a funeral. Somewhat unusual, but this gentleman loved Johnny Cash and country music.