When the call came for articles and what the LACO ministry means to me, it seemed as, essentially, the "charter" member of LACO, I should write something.

Charter member you ask? Yes, because I joined LACO before it even existed; at the time it was still LAYO (Lake Avenue Youth Orchestra) in late 2008. It did not become LACO (Lake Avenue Community Orchestra) until approximately 2010. The difference is the inclusion of regular adult volunteers.

What it is for me today is the only ministry within Lake where I, as primarily a STEM person, can use my God-given instrumental music gifts in an avocational way within Lake.

We are an orchestral group—that means we develop each other’s talents and practice all the other aspects of community. But we also share those gifts outside of the church at times (what Dan Bird used to call "out of the loft" ministry).

Mrs. Steinhaus was the only one willing to give me a chance back in 2008. I hadn't played much for several years. As the stereotypical Asian kid, I of course played the piano growing up. But an orchestra is a whole different animal, where many voices and colors come together (like the body of Christ). I played woodwinds in high school primarily to get out of PE (marching and symphonic band gave PE credit at my high school). I played some in college, but I was too busy in other classes to do much. I played some when I took an educational break and worked, but still had not much time or opportunity as orchestras are difficult animals to maintain (ask Mrs. S). You need a reasonable contingent of the right voices—no bodies with only feet! That time became an approximately 25-year hiatus initially having occasional concerts, musicals, church piano music, etc., but culminating in four and a half years of graduate school with no time, followed by several other life events.

Even though I've (hopefully) gained enough ability now that I can hold my own in several community orchestras these days, LACO is still the only place I can play worship music, especially, Christmas music. Christmas without participating in music is like Narnia—always winter and never Christmas. The other groups offer musical growth and wonderful opportunities to perform the great classical orchestral repertoire. Of course, that is also God-breathed and given, but only in the church can music, by bringing us closer to the Divine, find its true meaning and primary reason for existing.

For more information about LACO, contact Alicia Steinhaus at [email protected].