Lakes Region Singers present free spring concert on Friday evening

The Lakes Region Singers invite you to welcome the return of spring at their 17th Annual Spring Concert on Friday evening, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. This well-known community choral group performs at the First United Methodist Church on Route 11-A in Gilford. The concert is free and open to the public.

The performance will open with a melodic chorus from Haydn's “Creation” oratorio, “The Heavens Are Telling,” followed by two challenging Mozart pieces, “Laudate Dominum” and “Regina Coeli.” Then the singers will continue with Craig Courtney’s fresh new work, “I See, I Hear, I Know,” and a stirring arrangement of “You Raise Me Up,” the song made famous by Josh Groban as well as the Celtic Woman ensemble.

After intermission, the program will feature some lighter fare, starting with Joseph Martin’s rousing “Come to the Music,” and continuing with a medley of highlights from the Broadway musical, “Les Miserables.” The chorale will move on to John Rutter’s inspiring work, “Distant Land: A Prayer for Freedom,” and the evening will close with “Joyful, Joyful,” the exciting finale to the movie, “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.”

Directed by Betty J. Welch of Belmont, the Lakes Region Singers have been entertaining this area with spring and winter concerts since 1992. The group consists of over 30 dedicated community singers from Laconia, Gilford, and Belmont, and is accompanied by pianist Kelly Cleveland. Vocal soloists for this concert include Phyllis Corrigan, Carol Fitzmaurice, David Gilman, Bonnie Morin, Don Nelson, Ellen Stickney, and Paul Stickney. Special flute solos will be performed by Alison Witham.

According to Welch: “After our Christmas performance nearly got snowed out, we are back in full force with a delightful variety of songs. Some are new, some old, some easy, some demanding, but all are guaranteed to be pure listening enjoyment. Do come out and celebrate the return of spring with us!”