Holiday Extravaganza!
The third annual Holiday Extravaganza concert was held on December 17th at the Hiram Christian Church in Hiram Village, Ohio. The Hiram Community Concert Band performed a selection of holiday music under the direction of Dr. Issac Winland of Hiram College. There was also a performance the Hiram Community Chamber Singers led by Dr. Rosemary Heredos. In addition, Michael Delaney and Theda Hallam performed on guitar and cello.
The iconic Hiram church is the perfect venue for a holiday concert. The imposing Victorian architecture seems to soar overhead as you approach the building. The glow of the enormous stained glass windows added a wonderful sense of warmth on the chilly December evening. Entering the church is like pulling on a favorite sweater on a winter day. It’s not just the warmth but the sense of comfort that it brings. We’ve all experienced a range of emotions in this church, everything from joy to sorrow. It encapsulates the emotion of the community, and walking in this space you can feel a cumulative effect of the generations that have worshipped here. It reminds me in a way of a haunted house where only good spirits reside. The good cheer and holiday music put this over the top in terms of fellowship of community.
Sadly this was the final performance of Dr. Winland who has served the Hiram community admirably over the course of his tenure at Hiram College. I will especially miss his leadership of the July 4th band concert.
Written and photographed by Dave Dreimiller
Concert goers entering the church as the last light of the day fades away in the west.
Issac Winland at the piano just before the start of the concert.
April Winland performs a very engaging telling of the Night Before Christmas with each verse punctuated by humorous musical excerpts by the band.
Rosemary Heredos (left) leads the Hiram Community Chamber Singers in a selection of holiday songs.
Michael Delaney and Theda Hallam perform a unique arrangement of Carol of the Bells that included transitions of famous rock songs.
Issac Winland leads the holiday sing-along to close the concert.
Balcony view of the pews and stage. I’m always struck by the same optical illusion here; the sanctuary seems simultaneously massive and compact.
Reverend Chris McCreight (left) introduced the concert.
Dr. Rosemary Heredos performs a solo with the iconic church pipe organ in the background.
Dr. Winland take a final bow. Thank you Issac for your contributions to the Hiram Community.
Olive is the latest addition to the Winland family!