LCC Press Releases
June, 2011: Director Tom Hodgman steps down after 12 years as conductor of LCC.
Dr. Thomas Hodgman announced his resignation as Artistic Director of the Lenawee Community Chorus this month after serving for twelve years as the chorus's director. Dr. Hodgman greatly enjoyed the many fine concert events he shared with his singers and looks forward to watching them continue to do great things under the leadership of another conductor. Dr. Hodgman will continue at Adrian College and plans to do collaborative performances with the LCC in the future.
May, 2011: LCC Performs at Kennedy Center in Washington DC
Members of the Lenawee Community Chorus traveled to Washington DC over Memorial Day weekend where they performed in the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center with a chorus of 300 voices from across the nation, under the direction of Craig Jessip. The LCC was invited to join the select national chorus by Mid-America Concerts International, the same tour company that took the chorus to Jamestown Virginia in 2007. The concert was dedicated to our war veterans and included the following works: America the Beautiful (Wilberg), Let Peace then Still the Strife (Wilberg), the Song of Democracy (Hanson), Battle Hymn of the Republic (Wilhousky), among others. The chorus was accompanied by the United States Army Symphony Orchestra.
December, 2010: Christmas Traditions & Carols
The 70 members of the Lenawee Community Chorus delivered a beautiful concert of familiar carols to an appreciative audience in Herrick Chapel on December 12. Although snow threatened to postpone the event, the concert was well-attended and received a standing ovation. Guest artist Kelly Hill-Kretzer accompanied a few carols on flute and also performed a beautiful setting of carols for flute and piano, accompanied by Michael Gartz.
May, 2010: Members of LCC perform Mozart Requiem with John Rutter at Carnegie Hall
Members of the Lenawee Community Chorus traveled to New York City where they participated in rehearsals and a performance of the Mozart Requiem with John Rutter conducting. Singers enjoyed rehearsals, getting autographs and taking pictures with the world-renowned English composer and conductor most noted for his church anthems and choral cantatas. Rehearsals were filled with interesting stories, choral concepts, and thrilling musical moments. The performance at Carnegie Hall was attended by 1,800+ who gave a generous standing ovation.
April 2010: Community Chorus joins Adrian College Choir in performance of MOZART REQUIEM
With 180 singers on stage, the power and majesty of the combined LCC and Adrian College Choirs was enough to shake the walls of Dawson Auditorium. The chorus was joined by an orchestra of 23 and by soloists Elizabeth Major, soprano, Monica Swarthout-Bebo, mezzo, Erik Johanson, tenor, and Eric Graber, bass. The performance was enjoyed by an audience of more than 500 attendees.
DECEMBER 2009: COMMUNITY CHORUS PERFORMS WITH ADRIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Lenawee Community Chorus and the Adrian College Chamber Choir joined forces to create a 110 voice chorus to sing MESSIAH with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. John Dodson conducted the performance which featured Kelly Holst, soprano, Kristen Eder, alto, Drake Dantzler, tenor, and Eric Graber, bass. The performance was nearly sold out in Dawson Auditorium with more than 700 in attendance.
APRIL 2009: CHORUS PERFORMS AT HILL AUDITORIUM
The Lenawee Community Chorus and Adrian College Choir performed the Haydn "Te Deum" at Hill Auditorium on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. This was the chorus's debut performance in the space and marked an important milestone in the history of the LCC. The chorus shared the concert with the University of Michigan's Women's Glee Club under the direction of Dr. Julie Skadsem. Other works on the concert included Palestrina's "Suicut Cervus", Brahms' "O Schoene Nacht" and two spirituals: "Ain'a That Good News" and "Amazing Grace".
DECEMBER, 2008: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS!
The Lenawee Community Chorus joined forces with the Adrian College Chamber Choir to perform Antonio Vivaldi's "GLORIA" -- commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the chorus. In 1968, the chorus gave its first performance singing the Vivaldi "Gloria". This year's performance featured Elizabeth Major, soprano as well as two student soloists, Lisa Tenney and Andrea McFarland. The concert also featured a performance of Daniel Pinkham's "SINFONIA SACRA". Michael Gartz provided accompaniment on the organ in the Adrian College Chapel. The chorus also performed a number of favorite Christmas Carols including "Carol of the Bells", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", and two of the Alfred Burt Carols. The concert closed with a fun jazz arrangement of "Jingle Bells."
JULY, 2008: CHOIR TOURS CHINA
Members of the Lenawee Community Chorus return from a triumphant concert tour of China with concerts in Beijing and Shanghai. Chorus members joined members of the Adrian College Choir on a twelve-day tour performing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in the Forbidden City Concert Hall and in the Shanghai City Concert Hall. 450 singers from all across America and Canada joined forces with the Tan Jien Symphony Orchestra and received standing ovations from their Chinese audiences. SEE PICTURES
APRIL 2008: JENKINS "The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace" LEAVES AN AUDIENCE OF 500 IN STUNNED SILENCE
One hundred and thirty singers delivered a powerful performance of Karl Jenkins' Mass For Peace on Sunday, April 20th in Herrick Chapel. The poignant work for chorus and orchestra calls for people around the world to unite in peace using texts drawn from the Mass, the Bible, an Islamic prayer, and poets from differing cultures. Audience members were moved to tears by the intensity of the music and text, and many singers reported that it was one of the finest works they have ever sung. The thirty-piece orchestra that accompanied the choir was made up of professional players from the Adrian Symphony Orchestra and Adrian College faculty.
APRIL, 2008: PATRIOTIC CONCERT RECEIVES STANDING OVATION
The Lenawee Community Chorus joined the Adrian College Choir and Concert Band in a performance of several patriotic songs on Sunday, April 6th. The audience was so thrilled by the performance delivered by the 200 musicians on stage that they gave them a standing ovation for their efforts. This is the second year the choirs and bands have joined together for this popular event. It is a wonderful way to show one's patriotism devoid of politics. The choirs sang favorite songs like America the Beautiful, Yankee Doodle, This Land is Your Land, and Battle Hymn of the Republic.
JANUARY, 2008: RESCHEDULED CHRISTMAS CONCERT GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH
The Lenawee Community Chorus regrouped in early January to perform their December concert that was postponed due to an ice storm. The choir performed Ralph Vaughan Williams hauntingly beautiful "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" with organ, cello and baritone solo. The concert also included a delightful performance of John Rutter's "Brother Heinrich's Christmas" featuring oboe, bassoon, cello, piano and narrator. Although the choir had been away from their music for almost a month over Christmas break, they came right back with a fine performance with only a single rehearsal to prepare. Choir members were pleased that they had the chance to sing the music they had worked on so hard since September last year. When the ice storm hit, there was concern that the concert would be lost altogether. But soloists and chorus members rallied in January to perform the music they had worked so hard to prepare.
DECEMBER, 2007: LCC RESCHEDULES CHRISTMAS CONCERT TO JANUARY 13
Due to an Ice Storm on the original Christmas concert date (December 9), the Lenawee Community Chorus has rescheduled their Christmas Concert to take place on Sunday, January 13th at 3:00 PM in the Adrian College Chapel. The chorus will perform Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" a hauntingly beautiful medley of English carols featuring baritone soloist Stephen Lancaster and cellist Diane Platte. Also on the program, a delightful narrated story titled "Brother Heinrich's Christmas" by John Rutter featuring Diane DuRussell as the narrator, as well as Andrew Parker (oboe) and Susan Nelson (bassoon). In addition to other favorite holiday choruses featured on the program, the chorus will be joined by soprano soloist Elizabeth Major and two Adrian College seniors, Gerianne Ditto (soprano) and Sarah Bartrum (flute).
JUNE, 2007: LCC INVITED TO SING AT PRE-OLYMPICS MUSIC FESTIVAL IN BEIJING, CHINA - SUMMER 2008!
The Lenawee Community Chorus has been invited to join a festival chorus of 350 singers in Beijing, China where they will perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony in both Beijing and Shanghai with a symphony Orchestra. The invitation comes from Eric Knapp, a conductor who became familiar with the Lenawee Community Chorus at their Carnegie Hall performance in New York City in March 2006. The China tour will last for twelve days and include sightseeing in Xian, Beijing, and Shanghai.
MAY, 2007: LENAWEE COMMUNITY CHORUS PERFORMS FOR PRESIDENT BUSH AT JAMESTOWN ANNIVERSARY
The Lenawee Community Chorus traveled to Jamestown, Virginia where they joined a national choir of more than 1,600 voices in a concert celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the Founding of Jamestown. 15,000 people in the audience lept to their feet upon the final cadence of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and air force fighter jets flew over the outdoor amphitheatre at the close of "God Bless America". The President of the United States and many important dignitaries made speeches, and a greeting from the astronauts on the international space station was broadcast live on a large screen television. Despite a mid-afternoon thunderstorm, the members of the Lenawee Community Chorus were thrilled to play a role in the historic event and made some memories to last a lifetime. See a few pictures.
APRIL, 2007: A CHORAL FANTASY COME TRUE!
On April 21, the Lenawee Community Chorus combined with the Adrian College Choir to create a symphonic chorus of more than 140 singers in a performance of Beethoven's Choral Fantasie with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra!. The audience of more than 700 was electrified by the power and beauty of the choral / orchestral work which also featured concert pianist Craig Terry. Also on the program was the rarely performed Liebeslieder Waltzer by Johnnes Brahms -- originally composed for chorus and piano (four hands), this was a rare opportunity to hear Brahms's arrangement of the work for chorus and orchestra. The chorus received a glowing review from the Adrian Daily Telegram for their performance.
JANUARY, 2007: CHORUS RECEIVES STANDING OVATION
The members of the Lenawee Community Chorus received a standing ovation for their performance of John Rutter's "GLORIA" at their Christmas Concert 2006. The chorus was joined by 15 brass and percussion players from the University of Michigan and performed for an audience of more than 400 in the Adrian College Chapel. On a lighter note, the choir received a second ovation for their comical rendition of "Christmas Goes Classical" by James Maddox.
AUGUST, 2006: LCC INVITED TO PERFORM AT JAMESTOWN 2007
The Lenawee Community Chorus and The Adrian College Choir have been asked to represent the state of Michigan in a performance on May 13, 2007 in celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. The choir will travel to Williamsburg and join choirs from every other state in the union to create a chorus of 1,607 singers! Jamestown was founded in 1607 and will celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2007. The chorus will be joined by a 400-piece orchestra and will perform a number of favorite patriotic choral works including Wilhousky's famous arrangement of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". Choir members will fly to Virginia on May 10 and take part in special rehearsals for three days prior to the performance which is scheduled to receive national television broadcast. Singers will also enjoy lots of sightseeing in and around Williamsburg and spend a day at the Busch Gardens theme park before heading back home on May 14. The chorus received the invitation to join the 400th Anniversary Celebration shortly after their return from a very successful performance at Carnegie Hall last April.
JUNE, 2006: LCC LAUNCHES WEBSITE
On Monday, June 5, 2006, the Lenawee Community Chorus joined the World Wide Web by launching its very own website in conjunction with the Adrian College Music Department. Now chorus members and the community at large can easily locate information about upcoming concerts, rehearsals and related events. The website is just one of many benefits the chorus receives through its affiliation with Adrian College as the Community Chorus in Residence. This affiliation allows students to join the chorus and receive college credit. The chorus also shares its music library with the college music department. This arrangement helps both organizations cut costs for music purchases. The presence of the chorus on campus enriches the college experience for the students as well as the community. The LCC looks forward to a year from now, when a Spectacular 40th Season Celebration will pay tribute to its long tradition in Lenawee County and presence on the Adrian College campus.
APRIL, 2006: NEW YORK CITY
The Lenawee Community Chorus has just returned from a performance
at
Carnegie Hall in New York City. Forty chorus members
joined fifty Adrian College students and another 100 singers from
all over the country to perform Gabriel Faure's Requiem with the New
England Symphonic Orchestra on Monday, March 13 at 8:00 PM.
The performance was met with a standing ovation by over 800 people
in the concert hall.
After the concert, the singers enjoyed a dinner cruise aboard the
Spirit of New Jersey in Hudson Bay. Chorus members feasted on
a beautiful buffet dinner and then danced with a DJ until 2:00 AM on
the lower deck of the ship. On the top deck, singers enjoyed a
beautiful evening with a perfect NYC skyline and postcard perfect
views of the Statue of Liberty.
The New York trip was followed by a home concert of the Faure
Requiem at the Adrian College Chapel. The NYC choir was joined
by the other members of LCC and Adrian College Choir making a total
of 145 singers! The concert was very well received by over 300
in the audience.