History & Past Concerts
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The Lapeer County Concert Choir has been performing since 1968, known for its performances of large sacred works such as Bach's "Magnificat", Handel's "Messiah", Rutter's "Requiem", and Mozart's "Regina Coeli". The Choir has been invited to perform for a third time in the Flint Festival of Choirs hosted by the Carolyn Mawby Chorale. As the choir moves toward its 50th year, the goal remains to promote the advancement of choral music, and reveal the healing power of voices united in song. If you wish to join us, we rehearse on Monday nights in Lapeer. |
1968 - A handful of church choirs in the Imlay City area, backed by ministers from local churches, joined together and asked Jerry Pakkala to direct a new choir, what was known for years as the Imlay City Community Choir was born. Jerry had recently graduated from Oakland University with a bachelor of arts degree in music education, and had been hired by the Imlay City School System as the choir director. Our first concert was a mix of Christmas anthems.
1974 - A spring concert was added.
1986 - The choir had grown through the years and was drawing membership from a four county area. A major work by a classical composer was presented as a part of the program. Instrumental ensembles and chamber orchestras were also added to enhance the choral presentations. Some of the major works performed in the following years were: Bach’s “Magnificat,” “Gloria” by Rutter, Handel’s “Messiah,” Saint-Saens “Christmas Oratorio,” “Requiem” by Rutter, Thompson’s “Peaceable Kingdom,” Carcani’s “Gloria,” and Mozart’s “Regina Coeli.”
1992 - Jerry Pakkala completed his Master of Music degree in choral conducting. Jerry had been a member and soloist with the Rackam Symphony Choir and toured with the group in Europe, performing in Austria, Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia. He had also been the director of the Four County Foundation’s “Messiah” Oratorio Chorus.
1993 - Jerry Pakkala temporarily left the choir, after directing Rutter’s “Gloria” at our spring concert, to pursue other career activities.
1993 - John Ayers, of New Baltimore, joined us as our new conductor and directed our Christmas concert. John had been the Minister of Education and Music for the Warren Woods Baptist Church for many years. He came with outstanding credentials and a Masters Degree in Church Music from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
1996 - John’s duties at the Warren Woods Baptist Church were expanded and he could no longer continue as our director. His last concert was our spring performance of “Testament of Freedom” by Randall Thompson.
1996 - We were very fortunate to have Jerry Pakkala return as our director. That fall he directed our Christmas concert where we performed Rutter’s “Magnificat.”
1997 - OUR NAME WAS CHANGED to the LAPEER COUNTY CONCERT CHOIR!!! The choir was re-named to better reflect the community it served along with our mission statement of producing quality concert performances.
2000 - Louis Canter joined us as our new director. Louis has a Master's Degree in Organ Performance and Church Music from Wayne State University and has a long history of directing classical performances. He directed our “Christmas Oratorio” by Saint-Saens that season.
2001 - Louis Canter composed the new “Christmas Gloria” which we performed under his direction. This was a very challenging concert as Louis was writing the final portions of his “Christmas Gloria” while we were still rehearsing other parts of it. Click here to listen to the Christmas Gloria Concert on our website…
2002 - Our 35th Season brings us Handel’s “Messiah” with almost 60 members in the choir! Click here to listen to the Messiah Concert on our website…
2003 - We performed the "Chichester Psalms" (in Hebrew) and "Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria." Click here to listen to theVivaldi Concert on our website…
2004 - Was the year for changes. Louis Canter directed the Durufle` Requiem in the Spring and had to leave us because of expanded duties at his church.
2004 - Dr. David Pickett joined the choir as our new director. We did parts II & III of Handel’s “Messiah” with Dr. Pickett. Click here to listen to the Messiah Concert on our website…
2006 - Dr. David Pickett left the choir for a teaching position in Texas.
2006 - Jennifer Davis joined us as our new director in Fall.
2010 - 2011 – Jerry Pakkala returned for a few years and we did “Wicked” in 2011. Click here to listen to the Wicked Concert on our website…
2012 – Garth Starr joined us this year. Garth was a previous member of the Flint Festival of Choirs and we were invited to sing with them in 2013, 2015 & 2016. Click here to listen to the Flint Festival of Choirs Concerts …
2016 - Garths last concert with us was the Spring 2016 – “With a Song in my Heart” Click here to listen to the Concert …
2016 - Dr. Edward Howell from Kentucky now joins us this year as our new director. We look forward to many seasons with him.
2017 - Christmas - Our 50th Anniversary Concert! Directed by Dr Howell and with comments from our original director, Jerry Pakkala (who also directed our final Hallelujah Chorus. Click here for concert details…
Lapeer County Concert Choir is dedicated to providing quality vocal music concerts for the Lapeer County and surrounding areas. We perform concerts in December and also in May each year. If you would like information about future concerts, please add your name to our email list on the bottom of the main page.
