December Performances

This month I have been fortunate enough to have one gig (in some cases even two gigs) every weekend this month. Beginning with the trip down to the capital city of Illinois, namely, Springfield. It started in the last days of November but ended on the first day of December, so I consider it a December gig. The next weekend was the Pops concert for the Southwest Michigan Symphony in which a local school for dance (The Citadel Music and Dance School) added to the traditional Nutcracker. The music was supplied by the orchestra and the dancing by the students of the Citadel dance school. Although I think the entire program should have been given to the children ballerinas and ballerinos (masculine form?--hmmm, not sure) it was a nice program. The kids did a fantastic job and hopefully will be featured in full next season for a complete Nutcracker, but that is just a section cello wishing on a blog that less than 10% of my friends on FB read.

The next weekend was filled with a double church service at the First United Methodist Church in St. Joseph, MI. There is no doubt that I appreciate playing at this church primarily because the music director, James Kraus, is such a great musician to work with. He arranges most of the music we play and even composes original pieces now and then. I am planning a performance with him next year, whether it be a piece or two for church or a full concert. The times will definitely be given and I'm inviting everyone that can come. He is a fabulous organist as well.

For the Christmas weekend I have two services coming up. Another organist, Linda Mack, has invited me to perform with her for the Eve service in St. Paul's Espicopal Church in Dowogiac, MI. Their service begins at 7pm on Saturday night. I would be remiss if I did not mention the amazing acoustics in this church. If you want to hear acoustics that are really in a hidden gem of a building, please, come to the Christmas Eve service.

Dircectly following this service we head to Harbert, MI to play the midnight service in The Espicopal church of the Mediator. It actually ends close to midnight rather than starting at midnight. We begin there at 11pm. Again, the acoustics here are quite nice. There are two organs in this church, one of which belonged to Dr. Gunther Koch, Long time violinist in the Andrews Symphony Orchestra.

Here's the schedule of this weekend in short just in case you want to venture out and hear some wonderful Christmas music, most of which is set or arranged (by Linda Mack) for cello and organ.

Saturday December 24, 2011:

7pm - St. Paul's Espicopal Church in Dowogiac, MI

11pm - The Espicopal church of the Mediator in Harbert, MI

Thank you all for reading and supporting. 

I wish you all a Merry Xmas!

Frohe Weihnachten!

生誕快樂！