LANCASTER, Pa. (May 14, 2026) – The Lancaster Art Song Society will present a concert focusing on “Reflections of Love” at 7 p.m. Friday, June 5 at The Trust Performing Arts Center, 37 N. Market St., in downtown Lancaster.

With a mission to provide vocal training to developing vocalists while also offering performance opportunities for classically trained professional artists, the Lancaster Art Song Society presents concerts for audiences of all ages. Director Heidi Shannon and Assistant Director Johanna Howarth bring years of experience in teaching and performance.

The evening performance is pay-what-you-will, and seats may be reserved at lbc.edu/events or lancastertrust.com.

Featured at the concert will be the Lancaster Art Song Society (LASS) chamber singers, Laus Deo, which means “Praise be to God” and encapsulates the choir’s purpose of giving honor and praise. Several duets and solos will also be part of evening.

Laus Deo members are part of the developing vocalist program of LASS. They receive intense vocal training, have the opportunity to attend concerts and vocal workshops, as well as observe and glean from professional guest vocalists. The choir performs for retirement communities, churches and presents concerts at various venues. Laus Deo also ministers in song to the homebound, as well as to those who are receiving hospital or hospice care.

Since 2023, LASS, has performed and sponsored classical singers at The Trust while promoting this art form by helping to grow audiences for classical singing recitals and concerts locally. Simultaneously, young members of Laus Deo are trained and provided scholarships. LASS is solely funded by donations and “pay-what-you-will” musical events.

Director Heidi Shannon has enjoyed the worlds of performance and education for many years. She has taught music to all ages, from K-12 to the college level, for over 20 years. Her broad education spans from classical voice to world music, movement and drumming. Shannon earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education (Voice) from Bob Jones University and a Master of Music from West Chester University. She holds Orff Schulwerk Certifications, Levels I-III, as well as the Master Level. She was the first recipient of the 2009 “Music Teacher of the Year,” awarded by Music For Everyone. Shannon has also performed with Opera Lancaster and directed its first two tours of opera tales, presenting a children’s opera to over 1,000 school-age children.

Assistant Director Johanna Howarth is a native of Lancaster County and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Lancaster Bible College. Her experience extends beyond her accompanying prowess, which has included professionally accompanying for LBC, Opera Lancaster and Prima Theatre. She has also enjoyed performing in musicals, concerts and various events. Johanna has taught elementary music in school settings, including at a private school and SWAN (Scaling Walls a Note at a Time), a Lancaster-based music and support group for children affected by parental incarceration, as well as having her own private piano studio.

————————

In 1912, the Lancaster Trust Company finished its new headquarters—a Beaux Arts masterpiece from the imagination of Lancaster’s leading architect, C. Emlen Urban. A century later, Lancaster Bible College reimagined it into The Trust Performing Arts Center—a stunning venue for arts and culture in the heart of Lancaster. The Trust has a mission to honor God by encouraging excellence in the work of student and professional artists and by enriching the community through inspiring, challenging and redemptive experiences.

Founded in 1933, Lancaster Bible College provides an accredited university-level education for multiple careers with a focus on the Bible and a biblical worldview, Christ and Christian character. LBC’s mission is to educate Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving Him in the Church and society. In 2025, LBC introduced its new tagline, “Experience Different,” which highlights the college’s four key differentiators – biblical integration, authentic community, relational education and exceptional location.

Accredited through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation, LBC is also approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Association of Christian Schools International. Specialized accreditations are also in the areas of: Social Work (Council on Social Work Education), Music, Worship & Performing Arts (National Association of Schools of Music) and Sport Management (Commission on Sport Management Accreditation).