An afternoon celebration of summer in song

Soprano Jo-Ann Lange and Alice Williams, organist and harpist.

Soprano Jo-Ann Lange and Alice Williams, organist and harpist.

Jo-Ann Lange, soprano, will perform music from various musical genres, Sunday afternoon, June 14, at 4:00 p.m. at the Lopez Community Center to benefit both the Lopez Thrift Shop building fund and the Lopez Center for the Community Arts.

Two years ago Lange performed at the Center with Stephen Oles of Lopez Island in “Two for the Show.” She was a guest at Stephen’s concert, “Love Is Here to Stay” in 2008. For this June concert on June 14, Alice Williams, an accomplished harpist, organist and pianist from Missoula, Montana, will solo and also perform with Lange. Other special guests will include: Stephen Oles, tenor, Ginny Keith, flute, and Ingrid Peters of Port Orchard, cello. Music for this concert will feature: Celtic music from the isle of Man, Mozart, Handel, and Bach as well as theater music by Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Jerome Kern, and Stephen Swartz. There will be something for everybody’s musical tastes!

Lange has been singing since her grandmother taught her simple Sunday School songs back in Hollister, California, where she grew up. Since then, Lange has sung with opera groups in California, Montana, and New Hampshire. During her school teaching years, she had the pleasure of directing musicals and dramatizations with her California students. For many years, Lange has performed in Community Theater productions, choral and ensemble groups, as well as performing for weddings and church services. She continues to give benefit concerts in Montana and Washington and also sings each fall with three choral groups.

Alice Williams has lived in Montana since 1979. She is the organist at the University Congregational Church there and the principal accompanist for both the Missoula Community Chorus and the Missoula Chamber Chorale. She also gives her own concerts and accompanies many groups, both instrumental and vocal. Williams attended Iowa State University and studied organ with Dr. John Ellis at the University of Montana. Since the concert coincides with spring ground-breaking for the new building as well as the 10th anniversary of the Lopez Community Center, this performance will benefit both.

Tickets can be purchased: Blossom Natural Foods, Islehaven Books, Islandale Southender, Paper Scissors on the Rock, the Community Center or online (Lopezcenter@rockisland.com). Tickets in advance: Adults $10, Youths, $8. At the door: Adults $15, Youths, $10.