Manheim Central townlively.com
DECEMBER 11, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Holiday harmony for a cause BY CATHY MOLITORIS
A tribute to veterans BY CATHY MOLITORIS
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njoy an afternoon of holiday entertainment for a good cause when the Manheim Central High School band, orchestra and choir present a concert on Sunday, Dec. 15. The concert will be held at the high school, 400 E. Adele Ave., Manheim, at 2 p.m. During intermission, members of the school’s Interact Club will accept donations for the annual music/Interact scholarship awards.
arranged for string orchestra by Sean O’Loughlin. This rhythmically intricate piece engages the audience with exciting, driving melodies from ‘Carol of the Bells’ and ‘God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.’” To conclude their portion of the concert, members of the symphonic orchestra will perform Brian Balmages’ “A Festive Fanfare,” featuring traditional carols within Balmages’ original fanfare melody, leaving listeners with a joyful and festive spirit. The concert will also feature a performance by the Manheim Central High School concert choir, under the direction of Stephanie Magaro. “We will perform ‘Once Upon a December’ from ‘Anastasia’; ‘O Love’ by Elaine Hagenberg; ‘Who Has Seen the Wind?’ - a poem by
At a ceremony marking Veterans Day in Manheim, Maria Apostolec read a tribute to those who have served, acknowledging that many who were gathered in the crowd would never fully understand the sacrifices made both in times of peace and war. “We see you. We recognize your humanity,” read Apostolec, a member of the Manheim Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Cyrus R. Peters Memorial Post 5956 Auxiliary. “And we send you love that is gentle, patient and healing. With blessings and gratitude, we ask that you remember you are loved.” That was Craig Fisher’s goal when organizing the event held on Nov. 11 at Manheim Veterans Memorial Park - to honor and thank all who have served our country. “ We want to be sure our veterans know how much we appreciate them,” said the post commander. T h e ce re m o ny fe at u re d remarks by retired brigadier general George Schwartz; recognition of honored guests, including veterans from the Vietnam and Korean wars; a proclamation from Manheim Borough Mayor Scot Funk; and music, including taps. “Veterans Day is more than just a date on the calendar,” said Schwartz, who served as master of ceremonies for the event. “It is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have worn the uniform of our armed forces.” Fisher provided the keynote address. “The history of our great nation is closely linked to the courage and dedication of our veterans,” Fisher told the
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“Elevating others above ourselves and seeing how that transforms students is just a really cool opportunity.” “I think this concert is a great way to see how much work everyone has put into it,” said Jarred Stoner, a junior who is president of Interact. “It’s a performance I would pay money to go to. It’s crazy seeing how dedicated and talented my peers are, and I love just seeing them be excited to share their passion for music.” The concert will feature inaugural performances from the music groups in the high school’s newly renovated auditorium. Under the direction of John J. Brackbill, the band will play several holiday pieces that will be familiar to audiences but presented in a creative way. “ We will be performing a unique arrangement of ‘Jingle Bells’ called ‘Dashing Through the Snow’; two pieces that mix snippets of well-known Christmas songs with original materials
Manheim Central students in Interact Club, band, orchestra and choir
called ‘Ornaments!’ and ‘Winterscape’; a haunting setting of the lesser-known carol ‘I Wonder as I Wander’; and a medley of ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ and ‘Ukrainian Bell Carol’ titled ‘Adventum,’” Brackbill said. He said audiences will be treated to a rich selection of music. “I would encourage folks to come support and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our music ensemble members and celebrate the holiday season,” he commented. “Attendees can expect an eclectic mix of holiday music both sacred and secular.” That’s a sentiment echoed by Alicia Bartlett, orchestra director. “Listeners can expect to be blown away by the musicianship and dedication of our orchestra students,” she shared. “For only
having a little over a month to prepare, these musicians have gone above and beyond in their diligent preparation to bring joyful and uplifting music to the audience.” The string orchestra will perform “Christmas With the Nutcracker,” arranged by Katie O’Hara LaBrie. “This piece features many of the popular melodies from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker,’ which are then interwoven with traditional Christmas tunes,” Bartlett explained. “Our second piece, ‘Firelight, Candlelight,’ by Robert Sieving, takes a slower, lyrical turn in the program, reminding listeners of a warm winter evening by the fire. After this gentle piece, we’ll amp up the energy again with Lindsey Stirling’s ‘Celtic Carol’
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VOL LXV • NO 46
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