11/07/12 While everyone was planning their Halloween parties there has been a group of dedicated musicians who are thinking ahead to the holiday season. Members of the Marshall County Church Orchestra under the direction of Don Harness are putting the final touches on the music for their annual Concert & Dessert holiday presentation. The concert and dessert is held each year at Christos’ Banquet Center. The MCCO will again partner with LifePlex Dance Academy this year as the combined groups will present their favorite songs in a program titled “Masters and Masterpieces”.
The evening of entertainment will be divided into thirds with the first portion of the concert showcasing LDA favorites including “Surprise Symphony”, “Barber of Seville”, “Grand March from Tannhauser”, “Thunder & Lightening Polka” and “Neapolitan Dance Song”. The dances have been choreographed Marcia Heintzberger. The dances include folk, classical ballet, tango, the can-can, polka and more. Much of Heintzberger’s choreography also includes acting as the dancers convey story of the song while the orchestra performs. The Lifeplex dancers for the evening of entertainment range in age from 6 years old through adult.
The second portion of the evening’s program will highlight the full orchestra playing their favorite choices. The classical selections include “New World Symphony 4th Movement” by Dvorak, “Capriccio Italien”, “Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana”, and “Russian Sailor’s Dance.
“We will close the concert with a selection of popular holiday tunes,” explained Harness. “With the exception of “O, Come All ye Faithful”, these are not your traditional Christmas carols. The audience will recognize these fun, up-beat, tunes that have become synonymous with the holidays.”
“We hope that the audience will be ready to enjoy the upcoming Christmas season after they hear our renditions of “Let It Snow/Winter Wonderland”, “Sleigh Ride” and “Irving Berlin’s Christmas”, exclaimed Harness! “We like to think of our annual Concert & Dessert as our holiday gift to the community.”
Tickets may be purchased by calling Don Harness at 574-936-7357 or Cindy Flagg at 574-952- 3661. You may also purchase tickets from any orchestra member or from LifePlex Dance Academy. Tickets are $12.00. Patrons may choose which night they would like to attend; Thursday, November 15 or Friday, November 16 or they may purchase a ticket for each night. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. with the festivities beginning at 7:00 p.m. Christos’ Banquet Center is located at 830 Lincolnway East in Plymouth.
