BENTON HARBOR — The Lake Michigan College visual and performing arts department, in conjunction with LMC student life and the OutCenter of Southwest Michigan, will present “Songs for a Better World,” a choral concert, featuring music by LGBTQ+ composers and allies, at 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 23 in the newly renovated Hanson Theatre in The Mendel Center on the Benton Harbor campus.

The LMC Concert Choir, its chamber ensemble, Soundwaves, and the acapella group, Harbor Lights, all under the direction of LMC Music Director and Visual and Performing Arts Chair Kristopher Zook, will perform during the event.

“‘Songs for a Better World’ includes music by LGBTQ+ composers and allies with an uplifting message of unity and understanding between all people,” Zook said. “This is the kickoff event for a week of collaborative events on the Benton Harbor campus centered around LGBTQ+ education and support.”

Among the highlights of the concert program are “How to Sing Like a Planet” by Elizabeth Alexander; “This We Know” by Ron Jeffries; “Some Type of Love” by Charlie Puth; and Zook’s arrangement of “Love is Love is Love is Love.” The vast repertoire also includes pieces by Andre J. Thomas, David L. Bruner, Moses Hogan, Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Paul Simon, and more.

The LMC Concert Choir is a mixed voice choral ensemble that features LMC students and community members from Berrien County and beyond. The group performs regularly on the concert stage, both at The Mendel Center and throughout southwest Michigan.

LMC’s Soundwaves is an audition-based group of student vocalists who have a passion for high-quality, advanced choral repertoire. Current members are sopranos, Shay Beeson, Riley Cole, Sierra Dooley and Isabella LeClaire; alto Karen Smith; tenors Tristin Jeffrey, David Ott, Andre Steward, Gabriel Wright, and Tristan Wright; and basses Harold Milliner and Eric Theile. Harbor Lights, LMC’s newest ensemble, is an acapella group featuring Smith, Jeffrey, Ott, Gabriel Wright, Tristan Wright and Tyler Criss. 

In addition to the students in Soundwaves and Harbor Lights, the Concert Choir includes sopranos, Erika Bontrager, Jayla Harris, Barb Frank, Don-Nee German, Shannon Mitchell, and Cori Wright; altos Penny Jones Brant, Dyann Chenault, Jill Garcia, James Kraus, Marina Peter, Stephanie Pollard, Barbara Schofield, and Betsy Trescher; tenors Harvey Johnson, Jr., Richard Johnson, Carol Orlaske, Andre Steward, Dennis Wojtczak, and Mike Wolske; and basses Harvey Johnson, Sr., Armando Linares, Aaron Rennhack, Danny Wright, and Ken Yates. 

Admission is free and the concert is open to the public. A $5 suggested donation will be collected to benefit the OutCenter of Southwest Michigan.

In addition to the concert, LMC Student Life, in conjunction with the OutCenter, will be hosting an LBGTQ+ art exhibition beginning Monday, Feb. 24 in the Hawk’s Nest on the Benton Harbor campus. Students also will take a tour of the OutCenter on Feb. 24, and the documentary film “State of Pride” will be shown at noon Tuesday, Feb. 25 in the Hawk’s Nest followed by a discussion.

For more information, contact LMC’s Visual & Performing Arts Department at (269) 927-8876 or visit lakemichigancollege.edu/arts or LMC Student Life at lakemichigancollege.edu/studentlife.