Lustre News

LCHS Choir

A choir from Lustre Christian High School performed at the EMB church

Wednesday, May 1.

(Submitted photo)

The music department of the Lustre Christian High School, under the direction of Dan Marasco, gave a well-put-together concert at the EMB church Wednesday, May 1.

Before opening in prayer, Marasco reminded those attending that “the purpose of playing music and having a music program is to give glory to the Lord.”

The concert was excellent. It began with the six member choir singing hymns by Keith Getty and Stewart Townsend, Resurrection Hymn and The Perfect Wisdom of our God, in intricate harmony, accompanied by Marasco on bongos.

The next song admonished the congregation to Keep your Lamps Trim (arranged by Andre Thomas), accompanied by Melissa Marasco who accompanied rest of the choir pieces. They sang Offertory, a piece based on Micah 6:8 with words “What does The Lord require of thee, but to do justice and walk humbly with your God.” Byron Ewing was soloist. Rachel Pew was soloist in a choir piece by Ed Harris called To Everything There is a Season. It explained Eccl. 3, “there is a time to plant and harvest, to cast away, to bring together, to tear apart, to be silent – there is a proper time.”

One of the choir’s Music Festival pieces was On Eagles’ Wings by Michael Jones and arranged by Dan Marasco. It is based on Psalm 91. The solo was a high soprano one done by Hannah Marasco. They ended their portion of the concert with God is Able, arranged by Jim Cymbala’s wife, Carol. It says “God is able to deliver from the fire,” speaking of the severe trials such as Daniel faced in the lion’s den.

The second part of the program featured State Music Festival selections. Diek Olfert and Nathan Fast qualified with a fun brass duet called Easy Does it. Hannah Brown’s fingers flew on the piano in a fast-paced solo called Intrada. Hannah Marasco’s light and melodic, but very difficult

Slumber Song from Autumn Leaves was terrific. Soprano Rachael Pew and alto Anna Teichroew blended well on Homeward Bound with words “set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.” They were accompanied by Melissa Marasco.

Hannah Marasco sang Farrell, Marino, and Nelson’s song For Your Pleasure. The words reinforced the theme of the night with “For all You suffered, For Your pleasure I give You praise and glory; Lord I fall before you now and forever.” The solos Go Down Moses (Byron Ewing, bass), Castle on a Cloud (Katie Calderon, alto) in its minor key, were accompanied by Dan Marasco. Meridith Reddig accompanied Emeka Aniobi on his baritone sax in a beautiful rendition of Deep River (arranged by Fred Weber).

Rondeau was performed in a trumpet trio by Grace Brown, Abby Olfert and Diek Olfert each with their own rhythms. The final piece that qualified for state competition was Concert Fantasie, a gentle and melodic piece that started with an energetic opener full of triplets. It was performed by Mason Hilkemann on the alto sax.

Following an offering to offset expenses, the LCHS Band performed three very different pieces done at festival.

Pirates of the Caribbean

by Klaus Badelt, arranged by Michael Sweany, was followed by Wipeout which featured the drummers exquisitely and bass guitars supported by the band in a jazzy style. In All It’s Glory was a piece by James Swearingen that had sections of “All creatures of our God and King” embedded in some measures.

The students left Thursday, May 2, morning for the State Music Festival held at Skyview High School in Billings.