Holiday concert shines spotlight on Albion alumni

File photos by Tom Rivers – Marcy Downey will be a featured performer on Sunday during a Christmas concert with Albion alumni and current high school music students.

ALBION Generations of hometown musicality will ring in the holiday season this Sunday as several Albion High School alumni take the stage in the annual community Christmas concert.

The event, organized by the Eastman at Albion Courthouse Square Committee and sponsored by Christopher-Mitchell Funeral Homes, benefits Albion High School Alumni Foundation’s music scholarships. It begins at 3 p.m. at Albion Presbyterian Church, 29 E. State St.

A range of famous and favorite Albion musicians are on the program, including Marcy Downey, Joe Sacco, Alec Sherman, Gary Simboli, and the brother-based group Flock of Uncles – this performance including three of the five Smiths: Oliver, Calvin and Lucas.

“This is a first-time, all-alumni group,” said Diane Palmer, concert coordinator. “It’s a chance to highlight some of our graduates. We have many wonderfully talented musicians in the alumni pool.”

Retired Albion teacher Alec Sherman sings “Somewhere Out There” with Megan Zambito, an elementary vocal teacher, last January during a concert to benefit a scholarship in memory of Wayne Burlison.

Several current Albion High School musicians will round out the concert on Sunday, including the flute and clarinet choirs, saxophone and brass ensembles, woodwind quartet, and select vocal groups. The audience will be invited to sing along for a portion of the program, as is tradition.

“This is a really popular concert,” Palmer said. “It’s an opportunity for the community to get together and kick off the holiday. It will be really festive.”

About 400 people typically attend the Christmas concert, now in its sixth year.

Tickets are available at Bloom’s Flower Shop and Bindings Bookstore (Albion), a lily and a sparrow (Medina), and Roxy’s Music Store (Batavia).