Christmas Concert
Hoven Christmas concert goes independent
Talents of more than 100 musicians will ‘waft heavenward’
Published on Thursday, December 03, 2009
Organizers of SundayÕs concert say more than 100 musicians will lift Òtheir musical talents heavenward like the towering twin spires of the church in which they perform.ÓCourtesy photo
On Sunday, St. Anthony of Padua Church in Hoven will present its sixth annual “Christmas on the Prairie” concert.
But this is the first time the Hoven concert is not affiliated with the “Christmas at the Cathedral” in Sioux Falls. That annual production is put on by the Catholic Foundation for Eastern South Dakota.
“This is an independent venture,” said the Rev. Lance Oser, pastor of the “Cathedral on the Prairie.”
This time, the Hoven parishioners are on their own. But they’re getting lots of help. The All-Faiths Festival Choir includes people from many communities.
For the first time, the Northern State University Chamber Singers will take part in the concert, which begins at 3 p.m. Two actors from Epiphany Studio Productions of Minneapolis, Jeremy and Sarah Stanbary, are also involved.
Members of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, participants the first five years, will also return.
Conductor emeritus Henry Charles Smith will make his sixth trip to Hoven.
“In 55 years, I have never conducted for more appreciative audiences,” he said in publicity material.
The music “will be very different,” Oser said.
The concert is the church’s largest fundraising effort of the year.
St. Anthony’s holds 1,000 people, and it has been “just about packed” for the concerts, Oser said.
The proceeds are used “mainly for our ongoing restoration,” Oser said. “It’s a major edifice and as you can imagine the costs are quite steep.”
Last year, the church didn’t have a Christmas concert, because “we were in the process of installing our geothermal system,” Oser said.
The theme of this year’s production is “Behold Your Mother.” The concert, Oser said, will be “a musical reflection on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the birth of Our Savior.”
Organizers said Sunday’s gala Christmas concert is “a splendid occasion to visit the Cathedral on the Prairie.” Concert coordinator Linda Feldmeier said there are two words that describe the day – “magical and awesome.”
Some members of the 61-member choir are busy farmers who take breaks to attend practice. Gene Weischedel of Onida said when the concert is over, “I’ll climb back in the combine.”
General admission tickets are $30; details: 605-948-2451.