WINONA LAKE - This year’s Christmas offering for Winona Lake’s Christmas in the Village is titled “Voices, Brass and Bells” and will feature dozens of local singers, instrumentalists and special guests Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass.
Three identical performances will be available in the Winona Heritage Room, 901 Park Ave., Winona Lake, on Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. and on Dec. 10 at 4 and 7:30 p.m.
The combined concerts are produced by Classic Arts Programs of Kosciusko County, and will include a variety of local talent, according to a news release from the Classic Arts Programs. The evening of familiar carols and seasonal favorites will include the Classic Arts Community Chorale, Grace College Lancer Chorus, Classic Arts Youth Chorale and the Bremen Children’s Choir. Musicians from the Wagon Wheel Symphony of the Lakes, the Grace College String Ensemble and community handbell ringers will join the singers and brass players in a variety of selections.
Special guests will be Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass, who will present many renditions of Christmas pieces including selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” as well as leading the audience in singing carols. Repertoire for the evening will include John Rutter’s “Gloria,” Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and more.
The program will include the world premiere of “Fantasia of Bells,” composed by Warsaw’s Jordan Fredericks. Of this work, musical director Dr. Ardis Faber said, “We are excited to present Frederick’s newly written work, which is based on the melody from ‘Carol of the Bells’ and written for the entire cast of our program.”
Another world premiere will be a composition by Dr. Walter Brath, Grace College. Brath’s new original work, “Of the Father’s Love Begotten,” expresses his love for this ancient 4th-century text.
He stated, “I began to learn more about the church calendar and discovered the difference between Advent and Christmas. Advent, the Latin word for ‘coming,’ are the four Sundays leading up to Christmas where the church not only celebrates the first coming of Christ but longs for his second coming."
Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass, an ensemble formed more than four decades ago in Detroit, includes three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, percussion and keyboard. The group plays more than 150 concerts a year. It was founded and is directed by Tim Zimmerman, who previously served as chairman of Grace College’s department of music.
Dr. Judie Meulink, Classic Arts Programs youth artistic director, said, “I believe this concert might be the biggest collaboration of various groups that we have done. You do not want to miss this extravaganza of sounds, styles and celebrations of the Christmas season!”
Faber said, “We invite all to join us for one of the three concerts offered. There is something for everyone! Come, celebrate with us through the joyful and glorious music of Christmas!”
Tickets may be purchased at www.classicartsprograms.com. Adults are $15, and senior adults and students are $12 each. Children 5 and under are free.
For more information, contact Lori Widman, president, Classic Arts Programs, at [email protected] or 574-527-1104.
Classic Arts Programs Inc. exists to enhance cultural and spiritual life in the Warsaw area through the quality performance of diverse choral works, enabling singers of all ages to grow musically and personally through the rehearsal process and other activities, the release states. Visit the website for Classics Arts Programs at www.classicartsprograms.com to learn more about the organization.