Sterling High School Madrigal Singers featured performers for First Friday
On Dec. 2, eighty costumed Sterling High School Madrigal Singers will fill First Presbyterian Church with Christmas music for First Friday @ First Presbyterian. The concert is from 12:05 to 12:35 p.m. at the church at South Fourth and Ash Streets, and it is free and open to everyone.
The program will be a collection of traditional pieces, including “I Saw Three Ships,” “Mary Had a Baby,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Ring the Bells on Christmas Day” and more. The singers are under the direction of Annette Lambrecht with Nita Gillham on piano. Handbells, hand drum and finger cymbals will also accompany this energetic introduction to the holiday season.
The annual Madrigal Dinner performance tradition at Sterling High School began in 1986 with former choral director Don Johnson. Over the ensuing years, approximately 3,350 students have participated, and Mr. Johnson’s wife Liana has made hundreds of costumes for these events.
Annette Lambrecht is in her 18th year of teaching in RE-1 Valley schools, and she is in her seventh year at Sterling High School. She is a Sterling native and SHS graduate. She graduated from Northeastern Junior College and Colorado Mesa University with a degree in K-12 Music Education and from Adams State College with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Ms. Lambrecht is currently co-director of the RE-1 Valley Children’s Chorale, and she is in her ninth year of conducting the Windsong Chorus, the local Sweet Adeline chapter. She is a certified Frontline Sweet Adeline Chorus Director. In the next week, she will be actively involved in the Windsong-centennial State Chorus Christmas Show on Dec. 4, SHS Madrigal Dinners and the Master Chorale’s 30th Noel on Dec. 11. She is also a regular accompanist for local musicals.
This year’s Madrigal Dinners will take place on Dec. 5 and 6 in the SHS Cafeteria. Seating is at 6 p.m., with the Grand March at 6:30 p.m. Please call the SHS Office for reservations, at 522-2944.
First Friday @ First Presbyterian is an ongoing series of recitals showcasing local musicians.