Concert

compiled by Charis Patires

Lake Area Chorale shares the gift of music

Spreading Christmas cheer. That’s the goal of the Lake Area Chorale who has been providing free concerts to the community for more than 30 years. The holiday concert series is a favorite for both the performers and the packed audience that comes out to attend one of the shows.

“We perform to share our love of music with the community, and to show those in

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the area how much talent there is at the Lake,” chorale director Tracey Garrett says.

About 50 singers make up the chorale each year ranging in age from 30 to over 80 years old. The chorale provides those who love to sing an opportunity to make music with a group of like-minded folks. Concerts are held each fall and spring.

Anyone can join the chorale when it comes time to rehearse for the season but it is a commitment, Garrett says. Singers rehearse for once a week for two hours for 10-12 weeks in addition to showing up for the concerts. They usually perform five concerts at venues across the Lake area. Rehearsals alternate between Christ the King Lutheran Church in Lake Ozark and Kent Memorial

Lutheran Church in Sunrise Beach.

The selection of songs chosen for the Christmas concerts will be a mix of Advent music and some newer songs not everyone may know. The chorale is backed up by two new pianists who sometimes play one piano at the same time which is sure to entertain audiences this holiday season.

The Greater Lake Area Chorale dates back to 1962 when a community choir was formed in Eldon. Garrett has been the director since 2019 and has been a member since 2007. Born in Murphysboro, Ill., she holds degrees in flute performance from Illinois Wesleyan University & Southern Methodist University and did postgraduate study in vocal performance while at SMU. She performs as a flutist and vocalist in concerts around the area and the country. Garrett is a parttime secretary and serves as the Choir Director and Coordinator of Worship and Artistic Ministries for Kent Memorial Lutheran Church. She had been the assistant director of the Lake Area Chorale for several years, and served as the interim director for the spring 2019 concert series before her appointment as director.

“It’s the chance to share something I love, something I care deeply about, with people here in the Lake area,” Garrett said. “To be able to keep this group active and performing is such a joy and an honor. The musicians love to sing and love to be able to share music with our communities.”

Nancy Witham has been with the chorale for 27 years. She began in 1994 when a friend who was in the chorale persuaded her to join. In all the years of performing, Witham says she only missed one concert season. The 88-yearold Lake area resident is the soprano section leader and plans to stay involved as long as possible.

“It’s a great experience and I’ve very thankful I’ve had the opportunity,” she says. Witham started singing in the church choir and has always enjoyed performing. While it’s a commitment, it’s also rewarding and an important program to offer the comsunday, november 21 – Christ the King Lutheran Church, Bagnell Dam Rd, Lake Ozark sunday, november 28 – West Lake Christian Church, 936 Hwy. O, Laurie sunday, December 5 – United Methodist Church, 210 N. Monroe St., Versailles Monday, December 13 – First Baptist Church, Eldon sunday, December 19 – New Life Church of the Nazarene, Hwy. 5/Bear Paw Rd., Camdenton

Sunday concerts begin at 2 p.m.; Monday concert begins at 7 p.m. Donations accepted.

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