Holiday Extravaganza!

The second annual Holiday Extravaganza concert was held on December 18th at the Hiram Christian Church in Hiram Village, Ohio. The Hiram Community Concert Band performed a selection of holiday music under the direction of Dr. Issac Winland of Hiram College. There was also a performance the Hiram Community Chorus led by Lei Grismer Ramos, also of Hiram College.

I popped in shortly before the concert started with the intention of getting some quick shots of the conductor with the band. I had no intention of staying for the show, but the moment Dr. Winland sat down at the piano, I knew I wasn’t going anywhere. The iconic church is visually stunning and makes an amazing photographic venue. But the acoustics of the place take it to the next level, and music makes it an immersive experience. Truly an example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

There was a nice range of musical selections with some very engaging arrangements. Also a wonderful rendition of the Night Before Christmas narrated by April Windland with accompaniment by the band. The concert concluded with a sing-along. The event was well attended and enthusiastically received. Overall a wonderful community event to help ring in the holiday.

Written and photographed by Dave Dreimiller