Christmas Favorites

I thought it was a great night! We were able to gather and perform as an ensemble; present our concert in a glorious space; and send everyone home uplifted, after sharing with them the spirit of the season through our performance.

We are grateful to our hosts: First United Methodist Church of Oak Park, and Pastor Adonna Davis Reid, their liaison, Karen Doty, as well as their entire staff. FUMCOP has been our home since our inception in 2007. I commend them for their bravery and support at a time when live performances were still gambles. We shared our presentation to another warm and receptive audience the following week at Incarnation Catholic Church, Crestwood. It is important to mention that we are also grateful to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, who, for the last several years, has provided us a wonderful rehearsal space. 

There were some challenges to get where we are. Covid, for one reason or another, had an effect on our membership. In addition, we determined that our two original mailings did not reach their destinations, which crippled our ability to announce the concert and to solicit the necessary financial support. In light of that, we were able to release another mailing, which resulted in many generous responses. Thank you.

On a sad note, recently and suddenly, we lost a member of the MTS family, bass/baritone, Kurt Lannefeld. Kurt was unable to join us for the Holiday program, but had mentioned to me the possibility of joining us for the spring. He was an excellent musician and a lovely individual; he will be missed.

SPRING CONCERT

With the effect the pandemic had on plans for this season, we had to do some shifting of gears. Our theme for the spring is “Gone Too Soon.” We will present the music of composers whose creative careers were cut shut short, having died at relatively young ages. Among those composers featured are Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Giovanni Pergolesi, Henry Purcell, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Maddalena Casulana, and George Bizet. Also included are George Gershwin, Scott Joplin, John Lennon, and Steve Goodman. There will be a few familiar selections among them, but, as is our wont, some rarely heard, uncovered gems, composed by these familiar names.

Watch our website and other social media for further announcements.