Seasonal sounds set for Sunday

By JEFF GATES

 London’s Jim Smith will once again present a humorous reading of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” during Madison County Arts Council’s Sounds of the Season. The annual event will take place Sunday at 3 p.m. at London’s First United Methodist Church.

At holiday time, everyone is itchin’ to unwrap one gift early.

Thanks to the Madison County Arts Council (MCAC), that is now possible.

On Sunday, MCAC will once again give their annual thank you gift to the community with Sounds of the Season — it’s traditional holiday celebration. The free concert will begin at 3 p.m. at London’s First United Methodist Church.

This yearly event began with the Arts Council’s humble beginnings in 1997, and has been an anticipated event every December.

As always, there will be a plethora of talent with performers from throughout Madison County and surrounding areas participating in this holiday celebration of music. Many are already familiar names to MCAC followers.

The event will be highlighted by a reunion performance by several members of the Music Men of London Barbershop Quartet, which began in the 1960s. Current members Matthew Tlachac, Jeff Gates, Craig Chadwell and Paul Oswalt will be joined by alumni Rick Dickerson, Jim Scofield, Lee Roddy, Larry Peters, and Al Haines for a couple of selections.

The arts council is pleased to have Madison County theatrical legend Jim Smith on hand to engage the audience with a reading of the holiday classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

A line-up of talented vocalists and instrumentalists includes: Ailene Albrecht, Joe Blaho, Rick Boyle, Matt Dunham, Patrice Fahy, Jordan Hoffman, Michelle Kopiec, Betty Londergan, Gary Londergan, Crystal Moran, Julie Oswalt, Paul Oswalt, Bill Ruhlen, Jennifer Ruhlen, Ernie Sparks, Stephanie Stephens, Bruce Thompson, and Casey Wilson.

A nonprofit organization, Madison County Arts Council is dedicated to providing and fostering education and entertainment through both the sponsorship and presentation of the performing and visual arts in Madison County.

In addition to Sounds of the Season, MCAC sponsors yearly a countywide summer musical (“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” most recently), Young Artist Showcase, High School Marching Band Festival, a Musical Revue, and Fine Arts Scholarships to five of Madison County’s high schools.