Music of the season: A preview of upcoming holiday concerts and performances
Published 11:08 am Monday, November 21, 2011
Bells, brass and and bright choruses – the sounds of the season will soon be ringing the holidays merrily in. All God’s critters can have a place in the choir this season, with various singalongs led by talented musicians. There are so many great concerts coming up this month that we couldn’t pick just one, so here is an assortment for your listening pleasure.
Olga Symphony at Orcas Center
The impeccably attired, quirky and frequently hilarious five-member Olga Symphony performs at Orcas Center on Nov. 25-26. Tickets $5 for 7:30 p.m shows. Anita Orne accompanies her amazingly flexible – and vocal – “acoustic saw” blade with equally sharp wit. Fiddler-bassist-kazoo player and vocalist JP Wittman, a long-time friend of the group, joins in now as a full-fledged member. Rounded out by Melinda Milligan, Dave Zoeller and Gordon Koenig, the group donates all its proceeds to charities, estimated at $5,000 to $10,000 per year over the past nearly 30 years.
Celtic Christmas
Windham Hill artist Jeff Johnson and The Coram Deo Ensemble will weave a rich, sonic tapestry of Celtic, Gregorian, Classical and Contemplative sacred music on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 for A Celtic Christmas. The ensemble includes Irish flutist Brian Dunning; American violinist Wendy Goodwin; soprano Janet Marie Chvatal and German baritone Marc Gremm. Orcas Island Community Church at 7 p.m.; childcare and treats provided. Suggested donation $10; registration required. Register online at http://www.thekindlings.com/ by clicking on the Celtic Christmas Tab or call 376-6422.
Tree lighting ceremony
The 40-member Orcas Community Band will play for the annual tree lighting on the Village Green on Saturday, Dec. 3. The music will start at 3:30 p.m, backdropping a festive gathering featuring hot cider, baked goodies, and toys given out by Santa and Mrs. Claus. The tree will be lit at 4:45 p.m.
Dinner dance with Orcatrazz
Also on Dec. 3 is Orcas Family Health Center’s fourth annual Dinner Dance fundraiser, held at Orcas Center at 7 p.m. with music by Orcatrazz. Tickets are $25 and include lasagna, salad, bread, refreshment and dessert.
“This event has become a beloved chance to sit with friends and neighbors to eat, visit, and listen to great music,” organizers say. “You don’t have to don the dancing shoes if you don’t want. There are plenty of non-hoofers who come just to have a festive evening with others.”
The event includes a silent auction and cash bar. All funds raised go to the Care-For-All program and X-Ray fund. Tickets are available at Kay’s in Our House Mall, Eastsound Instruments at the Post Office Building, Cherie L. Lindholm RE and at Orcas Family Health Center at Airport Center.
Islands’ A Cappella
On Sunday, Dec. 4 the Islands’ A Cappella singers will present Randall Thompson’s “Alleluia,” a piece that annually opens the world-famous Tanglewood music festival, as well as an international collection of carols and great choral repertoire from the Christmas season. Orcas Center at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10, available at Darvill’s Bookstore or at the door.
Orcas Choral Society
The Orcas Choral Society will share its 2011 Christmas Concert on Dec. 10-11 at Orcas Center, times TBA. The show will include Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols” for women’s voices and harp, and excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah,” with opportunities for audience participation in the Hallelujah chorus as well as seasonal carols. Tickets $15; $5 students.
Singalong of ‘Messiah’
The Orcas Choral Society also invites the community to join in a “relaxed” singalong of Handel’s majestic “Messiah” at the Orcas Island Community Church on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. Director Roger Sherman will lead.
‘Silent Mice, Holy mice’
Charcoal-nosed children with whiskers and rounded ears will prance across the stage to boisterously present “Silent Mice, Holy Mice,” a musical organizers say is filled with “warm and funny Christmas music.” Sunday, Dec. 11, at 9 and 10:30 a.m. at Orcas Island Community Church.
Stanley Greenthal CD release
Songwriter and string player Stanley Greenthal and friends will host a release party for his CD, “First Song” on Dec. 16 at 7:30 pm. at the Odd Fellows’ hall. Greenthal’s creativity is inspired by the musical traditions of Crete, Greece, Macedonia, Brittany, Scotland and other climes. First Song includes a Scottish waltz, a Cretan syrtos dance, a Breton march and ridees, Scottish pipe tunes, Turkish and Greek traditional songs and more.
Community band annual concert
The Orcas Island Community Band will give its annual free concert at Orcas Center on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m.
The band hopes the early concert time will encourage families to attend. Songs on the docket include Santa Meets Souza, O Holy Night, Ukrainian Bell Carol, a piece by Stravinsky and some sleigh ride songs. The event includes a carol singalong and dessert party.
Orcas Brass at community church
On Sunday, Dec. 18, Orcas Brass will present music of the season at 2 p.m. at the community church. Organized by Craig Canine this year, the ensemble includes Canine, Steve Alboucq, Molly Johnson, Pat Muffet and Dimitri Stankevich.
The community is invited to sing favorite carols by candlelight at a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24 at 6 p.m. Hosted by the community church.
Where to buy tickets
Unless otherwise noted, tickets for Orcas Center events can be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or by calling 376-2281.
