Annual holiday community concert at Albion featured many alumni, local residents

Photos and information courtesy of Susan Starkweather Miller

ALBION – Oliver Smith, left, and his brother Lucas performed “Joy to the World” on Sunday during the the annual Christmas in the Neighborhood holiday concert. This year’s theme was “Merry & Bright.”

The First Presbyterian Church hosted the concert that was attended by more than 200 people.

The concert is coordinated by the Albion High School Alumni Foundation and the First Presbyterian Church. It spotlights talented Albion alumni and community members.

Pastor Sue Thaine welcomed attendees and encouraged them to enjoy the exceptional and unique level of musical talent in the Albion community.

Steve Hicks, Alumni Foundation President, thanked the audience and donors for sponsoring the annual community event.

Bradeen Walders Erakare and her husband Sebastian Erakare sing “Christmas Valentine.” They also performed “Sankta Lucia” with Clarisonus Ensemble that also included Marrit Vaga and Darryl Smith.

The Community Christmas Choir performed “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah.

Albion High School Clarinet Choir directed by Mike Thaine performed “Wonderful Christmas Time.”

Men’s Christmas Choir sang “Deck the Halls”

(Left) Elliott Michki sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” while accompanied by Gary Simboli. (Right) Mike Grammatico and his grandson Nate Grammatico performed a saxophone duet “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

From left include Kailey Winans who sang “White Christmas”; Alec Sherman who sang “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”; and Erin Moody who sang “Go Tell It On The Mountain.”

From left include Ron Albertson who performed “Wasn’t His Child”; Gwen Ferchen who sang “The Manger”; and Lonnie Froman who sang “Please Come Home for Christmas.”

The Albion Presbyterian Choir sang “Christmas is Coming.”

Some other performers included Gary and Jim Simboli who sang “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth”; Denise Thomas who performed a piano solo to “Away in a Manger”; the Albion High School Select Choir which sang “Snow”; Gary Simboli who sang “Christmas Vacation Theme Song”; and Sarah Hill who sang “Love is Christmas.”

More than 200 people attended the concert at the First Presbyterian Church.

Every year the Alumni Foundation gives scholarships to graduating seniors during Class Night.  In 2023 the Foundation handed out $140,000 in scholarships.  In 2024 the Foundation will distribute over $160,000.  This is made possible by the generosity of the Albion community.

If you are interested in learning more about the Albion Alumni Foundation or how to create a scholarship, please contact Steve Hicks at steve@albionalumni.org.