2008 Year in Review

“Messiah” Performance Sunday, March 16

Front row, l-r: Connie Swanson-DeSpain, Jane James, Carde Reisinger, Devan Worthington, Julie Orr, Marge Schleuning, Olivia VanderBleek, Nora Beswick, Lorie Folsom.

Second row: Darlene Powers-Palmer, Patsy Olson, Bonnie Phend, Deb Stone, Mary Ellen Brackemyer, Laurie Wilkins, Nancy Poling, Sunny Porter, Kathy Book, Pam Long, Janice Kelly.

Third Row: John Goodenough, Curt Weispfenning, Sean Leeds, Jim Schnitzmeyer, Richard Morris, Don Miller, Eric Phend.

Back row: Robert Burton, Al Janicek, Gary Lawler, Michael Blean, Taylor Boyles, Marv Schmidt, Martin Koster, and Luke VanderBleek.

Not available for picture: Laurie Vandermyde, Mark Ardapple, Carolyn Aiken, and Brian Olson.

In the spring of 1956, choir members from the churches in Morrison joined forces under the direction of Louise Mathew and accompanied by Arlene Renkes Boerema to present a performance of Handel’s “Messiah”. Since that first concert, “Messiah” has been performed every other year without fail. That tradition will continue with this year’s concert which will be presented at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Palm Sunday, March 16th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The concert is sponsored by the Morrison Ministers Council.

Conductor for this year’s performance is Kathryn Janicek, choir director at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Morrison. Mrs. Janicek, who holds degrees in choral music from Augustana College and the University of Illinois, teaches vocal music in the Erie Schools and has been conducting these “Messiah” concerts since 1980.

Accompanist for this year’s performance is Christine Holmer of Clinton. Mrs. Holmer, a graduate of Augustana College, is the organist at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clinton and has accompanied throughout the area, including work with RiverChor, Ashford University and the Clinton Showboat Theatre. She has accompanied several previous Morrison “Messiah” performances.

The soloists for this year’s concert are well-known performers from the Morrison area. Soprano Constance Swanson-DeSpain, Morrison, is a member of the senior choir and conducts the bell choir at Morrison United Methodist Church. She is also the accompanist for the choir at Bethesda Lutheran Church, sings with RiverChor in Clinton and has appeared as a “Messiah” soloist in Sterling, Clinton and Morrison.

Mezzo-Soprano Laurie Wilkins, of Mount Carroll, has performed in several previous “Messiah” concerts in Morrison as well as in Sterling and Clinton. She is a private vocal instructor and the choir director at Ebenezer Reformed Church. Laurie also performs with RiverChor and the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center in Rockford.

There will be two tenor soloists. Eric Phend, who comes to Morrison from Elgin, is an engineer with the Union Pacific Railroad. While in Elgin he directed choirs at Lutheran Church of Our Savior and Holy Trinity Lutheran church and was an active tenor soloist in the western suburbs. Luke VanderBleek, who is a pharmacist when he isn’t singing, has appeared in many local venues, including churches, Morrison Music Theatre Association, RiverChor and several previous “Messiah” performances.

Completing the group of soloists are bass-baritone, Brian Nelson and trumpet, Ben Logan. Mr. Nelson, who lives in Rock Island, is a graduate of Augustana College and works as an editor for the Moline “Dispatch”. He is a former member of Nova Singers and has appeared in solo performances with Quad City Music Guild, the Augustana Choir, Des Moines Metro Opera, the Handel Oratorio Society and many others. He has sung bass in the chorus of “Messiah” performances of the Handel Oratorio society at Augustana College for forty years!

Trumpeter Ben Logan holds degrees from the University of Northern Iowa and VanderCook College of Music. He teaches music in the Clinton school system. Mr. Logan also performs with the Clinton Symphony and the Praise Band at Church of the Open Door in Clinton and has soloed throughout the area.

There is no admission charge, but a freewill offering will be taken to meet expenses. This concert has become a meaningful part of Holy Week observances for the Morrison area. The entire community is invited to attend this special event. Front row, l-r: Connie Swanson-DeSpain, Jane James, Carde Reisinger, Devan Worthington, Julie Orr, Marge Schleuning, Olivia VanderBleek, Nora Beswick, Lorie Folsom.
Second row: Darlene Powers-Palmer, Patsy Olson, Bonnie Phend, Deb Stone, Mary Ellen Brackemyer, Laurie Wilkins, Nancy Poling, Sunny Porter, Kathy Book, Pam Long, Janice Kelly.
Third Row: John Goodenough, Curt Weispfenning, Sean Leeds, Jim Schnitzmeyer, Richard Morris, Don Miller, Eric Phend.
Back row: Robert Burton, Al Janicek, Gary Lawler, Michael Blean, Taylor Boyles, Marv Schmidt, Martin Koster, and Luke VanderBleek.
Not available for picture: Laurie Vandermyde, Mark Ardapple, Carolyn Aiken, and Brian Olson.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
March 14, 2008