Medina’s A Capella Select Choir continues tradition of singing at Senior Center
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jeremy Rath, who took over this year as director of Medina High School’s A Capella Choir, introduces himself and the Select Choir to the Senior Center of Western Orleans, where they performed after lunch today.
Lynn Creasey, president of Senior Citizens of Western Orleans, reads a comical version of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas to seniors at their annual Christmas luncheon today.
MEDINA – A visit by Medina High School’s A Capella Select Choir has been a holiday tradition at the Senior Center of Western Orleans for many years.
That tradition was repeated today during the Senior Center’s annual Christmas luncheon.
There was a new face in the crowd this year, however, a new director for the choir.
After 34 years as its leader, Medina High School graduate Lisa La Machia Roessler has retired.
The group’s new director is Jeremy Rath of Brockport, a former music teacher at Kendall Central School.
Rath said he met Roessler several times at county music functions, and when she suggested he apply for her job, he did.
“I am honored, scared and intimidated to follow in her footsteps,” Rath said. “It is such a treat to make music with these great musicians.”
The 25 members of the A Capella Select Choir make up about one-fourth of the award-winning A Capella Choir, Rath said.
The seniors’ Christmas celebration began with a comical reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas by Senior Center president Lynn Creasey, followed by lunch.
Director Jeremy Rath accompanies Medina’s A Capella Choir in singing Christmas songs at the Senior Center of Western Orleans. Their visit to the Senior Center has been a Christmas tradition for many years.
The choir arrived by bus and sang a variety of holiday tunes, including traditional carols, special arrangements, such as Biddy Bum, So This is Christmas, Carol of the Bells and a medley from “Charlie Brown’s Christmas.”
Ray Paull of Medina has been a member of A Capella going on three years and has been in the Select Choir each year, he said.
“I’ve come here to the Senior Center every year, and I really enjoy it,” he said.
In a new twist this year, after their performance, the choir took copies of sheet music to the seniors and sang with them.
The entire A Capella Choir will be featured in its annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Alissa Blount turns the pages for director Jeremy Rath, as he plays a lively number at the Senior Center of Western Orleans.
After entertaining the seniors today at the Senior Center of Western Orleans, members of the A Capella Select Choir went into the audience and sang with the crowd.
