A Capella Choir concert Thursday at Lakeland High
The auditioned A Cappella Group from Lakeland High School will perform a Concert April 20 to raise money Lakeland Strong, a fund to support the community through traumatic events. First row from left: Evalie Hildesheim, Isabella Triplett, Kylee Martin, Hannah Brower, Faith Stichweh, Haley Clauson, Rya Morrison, Maddy Hasz. Second row from left:
Kaden Roberts, Nathan Sescilla, Michael Laird, James Mitchell, Terrance Moran
Photo courtesy of Mark Sescilla
Faith Ann Stichweh performs with the Lakeland A Cappella group, and throughout the community to give back through her music. She'll play the piano and sing in a benefit concert featuring the Lakeland High School Chorus April 20 to raise money for Lakeland Strong, a fund for community members impacted by traumatic events.
The Lakeland A Cappella Choir will perform a benefit concert for Lakeland Strong starting at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Commons at Lakeland High School. Lakeland Strong is a donation fund created to support families in the school community.
“When there is an accident, tragedy or unforeseen circumstance, Lakeland Strong is there to help,” said Lakeland choir director Mark Sescilla. “We would like to promote that idea of service and community through a night of music.”
The concert will feature some small singing groups and soloists beside the choir and will be a pay-what-you-want format, where a donation of any amount will get you in the door.
“We want as many people to come as can come,” Sescilla said.
He hopes the concert will bring publicity to the Lakeland Strong donation fund, a support system he’s seen help parents and students of the Lakeland High School through traumatic circumstances or devastating events.
“People just need hope today,” Sescilla said. “Some of the music we’re doing and the lyrics to the songs illustrate that.”
The songs in the concert will range in styles from African to modern pop and classic with others, all selected to illustrate the power of music to connect.
“Music is one of those things that reaches everybody,” Sescilla said. “Whether you’re the performer or the audience, I get joy from performing. And I think by using our gifts it brings joy.”
Sescilla has been teaching for more than 30 years, 26 at Lakeland High School, and he consistently encourages students to participate in multiple performances throughout the community, like competitions, graduation ceremonies, holiday performances and, now, Lakeland Strong, because it’s good to perform and it’s good to give back.
“It’s just a wonderful thing for the community,” said Valerie Stichweh, Lakeland senior and A Cappella member Faith Stichweh's mother. “I just think it’s good for kids to reach outward, using their gifts for something bigger than themselves.”
Stichweh is excited to see her daughter play the piano with her school chorus, and loves how passionate Faith is to sing and perform in her community. She is proud to see Faith sing with the other talented students for an audience, especially for a good cause.
Sescilla is hopeful to see between 100 and 200 people at the concert, but really hopes to see anyone who is unaware of the Lakeland Strong fund show up.
"It's incredible what we've done in the community through of this fund," Sescilla said.
