Instead, Director Lori Erkenbrack said, it’s about life.

“The songs are about the seasons of our lives,” she said. “We have selected songs about birth, marriage, kids and death.”

Erkenbrack assured the audience that there won’t be any songs about the other inevitable part of life, taxes.

“There are no tax songs,” she joked. “That’s kind of ironic though since I’m also the Calhoun County treasurer.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Members of the Manson Maridian Singers rehearse recently for their upcoming shows.

She said there are currently 16 singers in the group. There are also four musicians and a whole crew of volunteers doing all the other essential things such as running the lights and sound.

This show, the group’s 48th, marks Erkenbrack’s second year as director and 17th as a member of the group.

“It’s a challenge,” she said. “You get a different perspective on the other side of the baton. Even having been previously involved, you have no concept of how much has to be done.”

There are years of experience on the stage when they sing. Brad Bleam, the group’s bass player, has 39 years. Many are in the double digits and several are in their first year.

Tony Keller, of Rolfe, is among those new members.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Manson Meridian Singers drummer Jon Merritt goes over some of the music for their upcoming show with accompanist Deanna Meyer during a recent rehearsal.

He’s the soloist during the second song, “The Greatest Show.”

“I get to be a circus ringmaster,” he said.

He doesn’t get a lion tamer’s chair and whip, though.

“Just a costume,” he joked.

Keller joined the group after seeing an article on it.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Director Lori Erkenbrack works with the group during a recent rehearsal. Erkenbrack has been directing for two years.

“I like to sing,” he said. “I did musicals in high school and community theater in Pocahontas.”

David George, of Manson, wears two hats. He’s both a member of the singers and the mayor of Manson.

“I’ve been mayor for 18 years,” he said, then stopped to think for a second. “The singers? Oh boy.”

According to the program for the show, the answer is 28 years.

“It’s over twenty with a few breaks here and there,” George said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Tenor Tony Keller, of Rolfe, right, gets a two thumbs up review of his performance from bass Dave George, of Manson.

What keeps him coming back season after season?

“No. 1,” he said. “I enjoy the people I sing with. There’s a lot of laughs. It’s a family.”

“Number two,” he said. “I love to sing.”

He’s got plenty of performing experience outside the singers as well. He was a member of the Gentlemen Four quartet, toured northwest Iowa in ”Forever Plaid” and had a role in ”Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

He enjoys seeing new members join up.

“It’s great to have new people this year,” he said. “It’s new people you get to know and meet.”

Sandy Jones, of Manson, has been a member for more than 20 years.

She summed up what’s at the heart of each member on the stage.

“It give us an opportunity to sing,” she said.

Two public performances are scheduled.

They are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 and 2 p.m. Feb. 10. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. The performances are in the Kate Toben Auditorium in the Manson Northwest Webster High School in Manson.