Raising a Joyful and Melodious Noise

A joyful noise unto the Lord will again be raised by the Marco Island Community Chorus with its performance of the chorale cantata, “Witness: Revealing the Power of the Living Christ” in observance of Lent.  

The concert-worship service is set for the afternoon of March 15th at San Marco Catholic Church.  

With a blend of original and familiar music, and scripture-based narrative, “Witness: Revealing the Power of the Living Christ” centers on Christ’s journey to the cross as viewed through the eyes of believers, deniers and skeptics. The seven-chorus work is the creation of noted sacred-music composer and arranger Lloyd Larson.  

The performance will include 12-to-15 members of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. 

Kathleen Osborn Gerdes is the 80-member chorus’s director-conductor, as well as the leader of San Marco Catholic’s music ministry. She is joined by assistant director Judy Wright, who holds the same post at the church, and accompanist Kelly Utterback.  

It is Gerdes who selects the chorus’ material for its concerts, which are held twice a year, during the Easter and Christmas seasons.  

“The one she chooses at Lent reflects the passion of Jesus Christ,” said Janet Stapleton, who helped found the chorale in 2007. “The one she chooses at Advent reflects the birth of Jesus Christ.” 

She said rehearsals and performances are always held at San Marco Catholic Church because of its excellent acoustics and seating capacity. 

“San Marco Catholic is very generous to allow us to practice here and to have our performances here,” said her fellow founding member Clement Kusiak, a tenor. “They’re very, very generous in that way.”  

Most of the choir’s members are Marco Island residents and their ages range from 50 to 92.  

“We’re made up of representatives from Christian church on the island,” said Stapleton, who sings soprano. “There are representatives from every denomination on the island, even from some of the Christian communities in the East Naples area, as well.” 

Kusiak said he was invited to join the chorus by a woman who sat in front of him at church and he’s glad he accepted. 

“I do somewhat carry a tune, not a great one, but at least I try,” he said. “I enjoy the fellowship. I enjoy all the things we do as a choir.” 

That sentiment was echoed by Tom Graves, who also became one of the chorus’ co-founders after being invited.  

“I really enjoy it. I’ve sung through high school, college, churches all my life really and I was very happy to be invited and it’s a very, very rewarding experience for me,” he said. “I really enjoy it.” 

Graves also praised the experience of working with Gerdes.  

“She’s a phenomenal director,” he remarked. “I’ve sung under a lot of different directors in my lifetime and she’s so thorough and so complete. She asks for perfection and she expects perfection and we try to give her perfection. There is no, ‘It’s OKAY,’ to her.”  

Caroline Davis is a mezzo-soprano and alto who first performed with the chorus last year at Advent. “I’ve sung my entire life as well and I enjoy the fellowship, as well as the challenges of singing in the group. I am just thrilled to be a part of the experience with other singers.”  

Like Graves, Stapleton offered up high praise for Gerdes, crediting her with not just selecting beautiful works of music, but also challenging pieces that offer a welcome challenge to her as a singer. 

“She really brings out the best in all of us in a very nice way,” Stapleton said. “She loves what she does, and it just comes across and she just does so much for all of us.” 

The concert-worship service will begin at 3 PM. Admission is free, but love offerings are accepted. San Marco Catholic Church is located at 851 San Marco Road. For more information about the event and the chorus itself, call 239-394-5181.