Local talent shines especially during the holidays

By Rebecca Petersen | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, December 22, 2007

I’m sitting in my office listening to a recording of last weekend’s Messiah here at A Center for the Arts. It’s awesome, thanks to a lot of talented folks,

First of all it’s awesome because Erik Vigesaa was here to run sound that day and, at the last minute, I asked him if he could record the performance.

So, he dashes home, gets the extra equipment and, thanks to Erik and Resound Recording (his company) we have an awesome recording.

It’s also awesome because of the soloists; Soprano, Michelle Danielson; Alto, Joni Wasberg; Tenor, Jay Johnson; and Bass, Everett Jacobson. And then there’s this chorus standing behind them that just blasts you out of the water — and there weren’t even that many of them. Under the direction of Harriet Wicklund, they were/are awesome. (Too many to mention by name, but thanks to every single one of them.) They made it a great performance and we have the CD to prove it.

Then add to this a locally-produced orchestra under the direction of Mark Solie and a bunch of really talented musicians and wow. As someone in the choir said, “sometimes eight violins sounded like one.”

And then there are always the hidden treasures that never get enough recognition or notice.

One of those folks is Susie Sanner (Susan Elaine Sanner, keyboardist extraordinaire). This weekend she was responsible for some great things happening at A Center for the Arts. She was the rehearsal accompanist for the Messiah Choir plus she played all of the keyboard parts in the orchestra (harpsichord and organ) and we inadvertently left her off of the program. How could that happen?

Susie deserves credit for so much music that happens here in Fergus Falls. She was also the rehearsal accompanist for The Center for the Arts’ Children’s Choir, which performed so well with the FM Symphony Orchestra on Saturday night.

Joni Wasberg, Children’s Choir director, and Susie had those kids so ready for their performance. I was so proud. I think we all were.

Another omission in the program this weekend was the thanks and recognition for a couple of “behind the scenes” sponsors for The Children’s Choir — Virginia Adams and The Adams Family Foundation have been sponsoring the choir for several years, as have the Otter Risers Kiwanis Group.

Things like this don’t just happen. They happen with a lot of work and support. We’re also thankful for the sponsorship of Dorn & Co., Inc. and Otter Tail Corporation who sponsored this year’s symphony visit. Additionally we’re thankful for all of the talented people we get to work with every year.

What talent we have right here in Fergus Falls. You’ll get more of that this weekend when several local actors and musicians take the stage for “It’s A Wonderful Life!” under the direction of another talented local, Rick Schara. Staged as a radio drama, this version of “It’s A Wonderful Life!” comes with drama, music and sound effects. Don’t miss it. You’ve got two opportunities left: at 7:30 p.m. tonight, and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

And at at noon Saturday, don’t forget the holiday songs performed by Fergus Falls native, Lance Johnson, on the theatre organ, right here at the center.

Rebecca Petersen is the director of A Center for the Arts in downtown Fergus Falls.