That’s the message woven throughout the music selected for this year’s Manson Meridian Singers show, titled “From the Start, Don’t Give Up,” slated for 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1.

The first song Director Andrea Christians chose for the group’s 54th production was “Both Sides Now,” by Joni Mitchell — a song that talks about the ups and downs in love and life.

“Then I started thinking about how we all have struggles,” she said. “Everyone has to ponder, ‘What was I made for; what is life about, what’s the point of all of this,” Christians said, but in the end, must decide, “I’m not going to give up. I’m going to keep pushing through.”

She said there’s a line in almost every song that carries that message.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Laurie Lukes, of Manson, sings a solo during the song “Both Sides Now” at a recent rehearsal.

“It’s going to mean something different for everyone. Some people may or may not see the big picture of it … but other people will,” Christians said. “You leave (the show) with the music inside of you. Whatever that brings to mind is what matters.”

In addition to sharing a message, she also seeks to select music that will challenge her singers.

“I think every year I put music in front of this group that makes them think,” she said. “This year there have been some challenging pieces, but this group always rises to the challenge and embraces my crazy ideas. So that’s just really fun; it feeds my soul.”

This year’s lineup features popular songs that span several decades from the 1960s up to today, including hits like “Superstar,” “Time After Time,” “Landslide,” and “I Want It That Way.” More recent popular tunes include “What Was I Made For” and “From the Start.” The show will also feature a couple of religious tunes, including the spiritual, “Shut de Do.”

Many of the group’s members will also be performing special solos and duets during the concert.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Randy besch, of Manson, sings a solo number during a recent Manson Meridian Singers rehearsal.

In addition to Manson, the group’s 23 members hail from towns around the area, including Rockwell City, Rolfe, Pocahontas and Sac City.

A Family Affair

After rehearsing together since October, the Meridians can begin to feel like a second family. But this year, many in the group are family.

Director Andrea Christians gets the privilege of directing with both her husband, Clint, and daughter, Caitlyn, of Pocahontas, in the group this year.

“It’s really cool to have Caitlyn with us this year,” said Christians. “She’s incredibly talented and a hard worker, and has kind of the same philosophy that I do of, ‘Let’s do the best we can; let’s figure this out; let’s make it amazing. That’s been really, really fun.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Shantell rasty, of Sac City, sings a solo number during a recent Manson Meridian Singers rehearsal.

Her husband, Clint, who is in his sixth year singing with the basses, agreed.

“It’s just special,” he said. “Not every family has that where they can sing together.”

As one of the group’s newest members, 19-year-old Caitlyn Christians said she was excited to join the Meridians.

“I get to have my mom for a director again for the first time in about four years,” said the 2024 Pocahontas Area graduate, “and I get to sing with my dad and also a ton of other really cool people.”

Andrea Christians was the Pocahontas Area choir director for 24 years and is now high school principal there.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The Manson Meridian Singers, under the directtion of Andrea Christians, rehearse in the Manson Northwest Webster High School auditorium recently.

“She helped me be a lot better at music,” Caitlyn Christians said, “and she’s the reason I’m even at the level I am now.”

The mother-daughter team will be singing the duet, “Happy Days Are Here Again.”

Caitlyn Christians also enjoys the more professional atmosphere, where she can put into practice all of the musical skills she’s acquired over the years. Her show favorite is “Both Sides Now.”

“Every time I listen to it, I think it becomes my favorite more and more,” she said. “I just love the way that we sound and the way it ebbs and flows.”

Jim and Sandy Jones, of Manson, are singing together in the group as husband and wife for the first time since 2010. They enjoy singing and practicing together, especially on car rides.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Chris Fistler of Rockwell City and Beth Biedenfeld of Manson rehearse with the Manson Meridian Singers at Manson Northwest Webster High School.

“I sang a lot of years without him,” said Sandy Jones, “so it’s nice not to be asked, ‘Is Jim singing this year?'”

Both Joneses said the song “Both Sides Now” is a favorite.

Though Jim Jones said he never liked the radio version, he likes the arrangement the Meridians are singing.

Sandy Jones added, “I’ve always loved it. It’s just a nice ballad.”

Their son, Justin Jones, of Badger, will be playing guitar with the combo of Jon Merritt, of Manson, on trap set, and Brian Robison, orchestra director for Fort Dodge schools, on bass guitar.

Accompanist Trish Mernka, of Rockwell City, is joined this year by her husband, Joe, and their son, Wyatt, a senior at South Central Calhoun High School.

“I feel like all the stars are aligning,” said Trish Mernka, who has accompanied the group on piano for six years. “I get to share this time with my son in his senior year of high school.”

She said Wyatt asked if he could join the group after playing the chimes for the closing song of the Meridians’ 2025 show.

“He enjoyed the energy of the group,” Trish Mernka said. “It’s a much different experience than he gets to share with his high school choir.”

She and Wyatt will be singing “You’ll Be In My Heart” as a duet.

Joe Mernka, who is in his fourth year with the group, added, “It’s been enjoyable spending time with Trish and Wyatt, especially having Wyatt in the bass section.”

Their song favorites this year?

Joe Mernka picked “Sound of Silence,” which will be sung by the Meridian men, while Trish Mernka likes “What Was I Made For?”

“It’s a very difficult piece that the choir has risen to the challenge,” she said. “There’s some very interesting harmonies in that piece.”

Wyatt Mernka said his favorite song is “God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again” because it reminds him of his grandfather, who has passed away.