Community Arts Program To Present 40th Anniversary Concert Oct. 12
The adult choir, Vocal Vision, will perform a variety of works representing the legacy and musically diverse selections of the past 40 years the Community Arts Program. Photos provided.
News Release
WINONA LAKE — Community Arts Program Vocal Vision (founded as the Warsaw Community Choir) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this season. To commemorate four decades of choral singing in the Warsaw area, Vocal Vision will join its voices with Vocal Vision Youth, Vocal Vibes and the Grace College Lancers Chorus to present a free concert Saturday, Oct. 12.
According to Lori Widman, president of the Community Arts Program, the Rev. Richard Anderson formed the Warsaw Community Choir in 1984. Anderson, along with his wife, Ethel, successfully produced local performances of “Messiah” and other collaborations with the Grace Community Orchestra.
In 1991, Anderson founded Classic Arts Programs. Classic Arts Programs would become an umbrella organization for several area choral groups, many of which remain today. With the 40th anniversary, the adult choir has been renamed Vocal Vision and the children’s choir has been renamed Vocal Vision Youth.
“The board of directors of Community Arts Programs is excited to continue Richard Anderson’s vision of high-quality community music making,” wrote Widman. “We are thrilled to continue collaborations with our community artists and musicians. We would like to dedicate our ‘Legacy’ performance to Dick Anderson and all the directors who have led the choirs over the past 40 years.”
The “Legacy” concert will feature a collection of songs representing the musical styles influenced by the artistic directors; from classic choral songs to whimsical soundscapes, there promises to be something for everyone. Videos will supplement the performance by providing reflections from past directors, including Ethel Anderson, wife of Dick Anderson (1984-1998), Alin Cass (1998-2005), Jerry and Renee Polman (2005 to 2009), and Ardis Faber (2012 and current director.)
Community Arts Program will present “Choral Fest: Legacy” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the First United Methodist Church, 179 S. Indiana St., Warsaw. Admission is free. Additional details can be found online at the Community Arts Program website, capwarsaw.com.
“We hope that this concert honors Dick Anderson’s memory and efforts with our performances,” Widman wrote. “Here’s to another 40 years of quality choral singing and community music-making throughout Kosciusko County and the surrounding area.”
Shown are members of Vocal Vision Youth from a spring 2024 performance. The young singers will perform during the “Legacy” concert Oct. 12.
