The fastest I've ever played / December 14

Musicorum's "A Choral Christmas" concerts were gorgeous this year. I used to sing with the group, but my own concerts and performances prevent me from participating anymore. I'm glad that once in a while they invite me to accompany them so I can still be a part of the amazing music they make.

This year, the group was singing Stephen Paulus' "Three Nativity Carols." I've played the carols before and love the richly layered and textured treatments of the traditional lyrics. The harp part is fun to play...but there some very fast 16th notes in the last carol, "Wonder Tidings," and I spent quite a few evenings with my metronome clicking in preparation.

Here we are in mid-song.
Do you recognize that flaming red hair beside me?
Yes, that's Martha from my Celtic Band,
playing the oboe. She's a wonder herself.

I love this photo. My hands (and the rest of me) are just a blur.
THAT'S how fast "Wonder Tidings" goes.

The theme of the concert was "A Rose in Winter" and the program was filled with that delicate imagery. I even played my version of "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming" — I'd debuted it at my holiday concert and it was wonderful to play it again.

I'm sending best wishes to Musicorum as they search for a new conductor and begin the next chapter in making excellent music.