The Lexington Singers 50th season

In 2008-09, the Lexington Singers are celebrating their 50th season as Central Kentucky’s leading chorus. We caught up with the singers as they prepared for a busy holiday week of concerts including the annual Kentucky Christmas Chorus at Rupp Arena and a performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah with the Lexington Philharmonic at the Singletary Center for the arts.

In the slideshow, above, you’ll hear the singers in rehearsal and its three directors — Phyllis Jenness (1959-75), James Ross Beane (1975-97) and Jefferson Johnson (1997-present) — reflect on the group.

Click here to read our complete story on the Singer 50th celebration.
Photos:Celebration of Song at Victorian Square

George Zack’s final bow

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Lexington Philharmonic music director George Zack conducts the orchestra for the last time on Sept. 12, 2008. Zack took over the music director post in 1972, and will officially retire next year when a new music director named. But the performing aspect of his job ends with a gala season-opening concert featuring one of Zack’s favorite soloists, violinist Aaron Rosand, followed by a celebration on the lawn next to the Singletary Center for the Arts.

We visited one of Zack’s final rehearsals with the orchestra and talked to the maestro and several of his colleagues to get their thoughts on this historic event. Audio, photos and production by Rich Copley.

Click here for thoughts on Zack’s impact on the arts in Lexington.

Click here for some stats on Zack’s career.

Garey Farm

After 18 years, Carla and David Garey gave up raising tobacco in 2004 and turned their full time attention to raising vegetables and meat to sell at Lexington Farmers Market. Today on their 60 acre farm in Bourbon County, the Garey family raise 190 different kinds of vegetables and a flock of 450 chickens and turkeys. Photos by Charles Bertram