The Arts at Lakeland will spread tidings of comfort and joy this December, with three holiday-centric concerts fit for the whole family to enjoy. All performances will be held in the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center inside the D-Building of Lakeland’s campus.

Under the direction of Frank Cosenza, the Lakeland Civic Band will kick off the end-of-year celebration by presenting “Winter Solstice” Sunday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. The band will usher in the wintry season with traditional songs of Christmas, like Leroy Anderson’s “Christmas Festival” and “Sleigh Ride” as well as Irving Berlin and Robert Russell Bennett’s “White Christmas.” The program will also feature selections from the highly acclaimed, award-winning musical “Les Misérables,” arranged by Warren Barker.

Judith Elias will lead the Lakeland Civic Flute Choir in presenting “Holiday Fantasy” the following Friday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m., assisted by Professor Emeritus Robert L. Brown and narrated by Herman Rueger. The program will honor the seasons of Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa, with festive favorites like “A Child Is Born,” Shaul Ben-Muir’s “Mi Yimalel” and “Siyahamba,” a South African folk song arranged by Amy Rice-Young.

Sunday, Dec. 10, at 4 p.m., Lakeland Civic Chorus director Ben Richard and Lakeland Civic Orchestra director Dr. Matthew Saunders will present “Hallelujah!” For those unable to attend Sunday’s concert, the groups will also perform the same program Monday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Painesville United Methodist Church, located at 71 N Park Place, Painesville, Ohio, 44077, as part of the church’s annual concert series.

“The Arts at Lakeland have had a very successful semester. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us in our mission of providing quality musical programming to the Northeast Ohio community,” says Dr. Erin Fekete, dean of Lakeland’s Arts and Sciences Division. “I could not think of a better way to close the first half of the season than with a series of joyous concerts from several of Lakeland’s civic music groups, commemorating the holiday traditions we hold so dear.”

Concert tickets can be purchased on the Arts at Lakeland’s website or at the box office upon arrival. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $6 for Lakeland alumni, senior citizens and veterans and $2 for current Lakeland students, children and teens. Online purchasers should bring their order confirmation to show at the door. The Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center is on the first floor of the D-Building on Lakeland’s campus, located at 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, Ohio, 44094, just off the I-90/State Route 306 exit. Free parking will be available.

ABOUT THE CIVIC MUSIC ENSEMBLES

Lakeland Community College provides community members the opportunity to express and advance their talents by performing in five music groups: the Lakeland Civic Band, the Lakeland Civic Chorus, the Lakeland Civic Flute Choir, the Lakeland Civic Jazz Orchestra and the Lakeland Civic Orchestra. Additionally, the college offers talented high school students Jazz Impact, an all-star high school music group.

For more information about the civic music groups and auditions, contact Jeri Lynn Pilarczyk in the Arts and Sciences Division at 440.525.7261 or email jpilarczyk5@lakelandcc.edu.

By: Charles Hegedus, Mrktg and Commun Specialist