Sacred Concert Brings Community Together

Loma Linda Academy held a special vesper concert Saturday, Nov. 15 at the University Church. The Sacred Concert started with an Overture by George Frederic Handel. Orchestrated by Larry Kidder, the Symphony Orchestra was comprised of the high school students. Natasha Thomas joined the orchestra on harp and Gerald Cheng on violin for the song "Beneath the Cross of Jesus." Next came Pro Musica, the high school's choir. Under the direction of Kristian Leukert, they sang "Lux Aurumque," a Latin hymn, and "My God is a Rock," an African-American spiritual, among other songs. The Junior High Chamber Singers performed a special song called "Requiem" by Eliza Gilkyson and arranged by Graig Hella Johnson. This performance was dedicated to victims of natural disasters. The Wind Symphony, conducted by Giovanni Santos, performed a few songs including "Sanctuary," by Frank Ticheli, and "Give Us This Day," second movement, by David Maslanka. Next, the Fifth Grade Choir, headed by Czarina Franscisco, sang a fun number called "Goliath." The final brought all of the evenings performers including Fanfare, Loma Linda Elementary Choir, and the Loma Linda University Sanctuary Herald Trumpets as they performed Battle Hymn of the Republic. Robert Skoretz, High School Principal, Jim Weller, Junior High Principal, and John Chen, Elementary School Principal came out and spoke candidly on Christian education and the value of student aid. Headmaster of the Academy, Doug Herrmann also spoke on the need to help those families that can't afford to send their kids to the Academy, stating that sometimes parents have to pick one child attend the Academy at a time. All offerings and donations are going towards their Student Aid programs at the Academy.