ABOUT PEKIN FRIENDS IN HARMONY
Friends in Harmony began in 2005. They started off with 16 friends who loved to sing and harmonize. Our first year we set out to entertain at Christmas corporate and private parties. We created a 25-minute show not knowing if we would have anywhere to perform! To our surprise, we not only had places to perform, but gave away $2000 profits that first season!
After our first season, we increased to 24 members and decided to do a show to benefit United Way. Our show was held at the Washington Intermediate School Theater. Our two-night show more than doubled our contribution to the community to $4300! Currently, Friends has given over $57,000 to organizations in the Pekin area!
In 2011, we added an orchestra to our group. Many of those are still with us! We are so excited to be able to offer this wonderful sound to our community! However, as it is with many growing organizations, we found we needed financial support in order to be able to have these musicians. So, Friends in Harmony sent out letters to friends, relatives, and businesses in the community asking for support in our new endeavor. To our surprise, we had a wonderful response from the community and were more than able to finance the orchestra! We were greatly humbled to realize the support we have in the Pekin community.
Another offshoot of Friends In Harmony is our youth group, Kidz Friendly. We offer this opportunity for 20-25 area youth to come and sing in our show. Kidz Friendly has been directed by Pat Condis for the past two years. In the past we have also had Patti Johnson, Jill Rimington, Sheila Lutz all taking turns working with this great bunch of kids.
We have been very fortunate to have had a variety of directors for Friends – each offering different techniques that have enhanced our group over the years. Directors have been: Tricia Cole Shaw, Bob Moser, Aaron Ganschow, Dr. James Rimington, and Patti Johnson, and Kaleigh Christ. Currently, the 2022 show is being directed by Dr. James Rimington.
We are grateful for each and every one of them!
We are also so fortunate to have our original accompanist, Val Springborn. She has stuck with us since our inception in 2005! Choreographers have included Sue Venturi-Johnson, Hailie Johnson, Jennifer Morris, and currently Liz Waldschmidt.
Currently, Friends is comprised of 34 singing members and a large number of family and friends who help us behind the scenes by working backstage, building sets, ushering, helping with lights, and selling tickets!
Friends' Christmas Show 2022 will be held December 9 and 10!!
After our first season, we increased to 24 members and decided to do a show to benefit United Way. Our show was held at the Washington Intermediate School Theater. Our two-night show more than doubled our contribution to the community to $4300! Currently, Friends has given over $57,000 to organizations in the Pekin area!
In 2011, we added an orchestra to our group. Many of those are still with us! We are so excited to be able to offer this wonderful sound to our community! However, as it is with many growing organizations, we found we needed financial support in order to be able to have these musicians. So, Friends in Harmony sent out letters to friends, relatives, and businesses in the community asking for support in our new endeavor. To our surprise, we had a wonderful response from the community and were more than able to finance the orchestra! We were greatly humbled to realize the support we have in the Pekin community.
Another offshoot of Friends In Harmony is our youth group, Kidz Friendly. We offer this opportunity for 20-25 area youth to come and sing in our show. Kidz Friendly has been directed by Pat Condis for the past two years. In the past we have also had Patti Johnson, Jill Rimington, Sheila Lutz all taking turns working with this great bunch of kids.
We have been very fortunate to have had a variety of directors for Friends – each offering different techniques that have enhanced our group over the years. Directors have been: Tricia Cole Shaw, Bob Moser, Aaron Ganschow, Dr. James Rimington, and Patti Johnson, and Kaleigh Christ. Currently, the 2022 show is being directed by Dr. James Rimington.
We are grateful for each and every one of them!
We are also so fortunate to have our original accompanist, Val Springborn. She has stuck with us since our inception in 2005! Choreographers have included Sue Venturi-Johnson, Hailie Johnson, Jennifer Morris, and currently Liz Waldschmidt.
Currently, Friends is comprised of 34 singing members and a large number of family and friends who help us behind the scenes by working backstage, building sets, ushering, helping with lights, and selling tickets!
Friends' Christmas Show 2022 will be held December 9 and 10!!
