Stock photo of a church interior by Jacob Bentzinger, Unsplash.
From a news release
The Manistee Community Music Festival Chorus will present “Choirs in the Cathedral,” billed by organizers as “an enchanting evening of music,” beginning at 7 p.m., June 21, inside the historic First Congregational Church of Manistee, 412 S. 4th St.
Admission is free. A $10 donation per adult, $7 per child, is suggested to help offset the cost of music and equipment.
Organizers stated that “this year’s concert will be a fun and diverse musical experience, featuring a range of genres including soulful renditions like Bill Withers’ ‘Lovely Day,’ beloved folk songs, classical masterpieces, and captivating themes from ‘The Prince of Egypt’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz.’”
The festival chorus will be joined by soloists from Central Michigan University.
The performance will be under the direction of conductor Nykkoa Lurie, with Emily Sullivan on the piano.
Statements found on the organization’s website describe Lurie as a “student pursuing a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from Central Michigan University. She is starting her second year as Interim Choral Director for the Manistee Community Choir. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she sang in the Southern Chorale and completed choral tours both domestically and internationally.”
According to the news release, Ryan Biller, music director of the Manistee Community Band and Festival Chorus, said he “is extremely grateful to work with such talented musicians” and he “credits Nykkoa with the success of the choir this season.”
Additional highlights of the 2024 season include the 55th Anniversary Reception and Concert to be held at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, beginning at 6 p.m. on July 12, and the annual “Classics on the Coast” concert scheduled for 7 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Lions Pavilion located at the First Street Beach, found at the west end of First Street in Manistee. In the event of rain, the latter will take place inside the Manistee United Methodist Church, 387 First St.
The 100-person Manistee Community Band and Festival Chorus, now in its fifth year, features a concert band and full choir performing together for summer concerts. Members hail from Manistee, Benzie and Mason counties, and beyond, during the season.
For more information, visit Manistee Community Music online at: http://www.manisteecommunitymusic.org or contact the organization via email at: contact@manisteecommunitymusic.org.
