Sycamore United Methodist Church creates radio station for concert

The music department at Sycamore United Methodist Church endeavors to present the “Good News” in unique and creative ways, so its Spring Choral Celebration will take the form of a fictional radio station called KSPR Spirit Radio.

Performances will be at 5 p.m. April 16 and 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. April 17.

Phyllis Horst, a local storyteller and singer, will play Phyllis Heart, a Delilah-style call-in radio show host. The 40-voice Adult Choir, Kid’s Choir, and various soloists and small groups will share musical numbers to go along with the program, including favorites such as “Ain’t No Mountain,” “Over the Rainbow” and “I’m a Believer.”

Music director Bev Rauch wrote the script for the production to show that sometimes we can be reminded of powerful spiritual truths from popular songs – for example, the words for “Ain’t No Mountain”closely mirrors Romans 8 in the Bible.

The Adult Choir will be accompanied by Craig Fritz, percussionist Kyle McComb and Jim Selig on saxophone. The Good News! Men’s Quartet directed by Doug Elder will be featured, as well as the Men’s Trio and another trio consisting of Paul and Marcia Watson with Phyllis Horst. Kattie O’Malley will sing “You Are So Beautiful” and Dorcas Keating will sing “Over the Rainbow,” which also will feature soloist Melissa Johnson. Diane Markwell will be the announcer.

Refreshments will be provided Saturday night, and child care is available Sunday morning. A free-will offering will be taken at all performances. The church is at 160 Johnson Ave. in Sycamore.

For information, call the church office at 815-895-9113 or visit www.sycamoreumc.org.