December’s Community Concert in Aspinwall

For many of the students and their families, it was the first time they had participated in an in-person performance in just over two years. Mark Marston led a Community Concert with CYM students (guitar students and one violinist) at the Aspinwall Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 11. Students performed a mix of classical and holiday music, with Christmas carols and traditional Hanukah music.

All students performed solos. Some students also performed ensemble music they had started preparing in the “Christmas In July Guitar Ensemble” course from over the summer. The program concluded with the Guitar Group performing two arrangements they had worked on in class, one which they had all learned by ear and the other included a combination of guitars and ukuleles. Our thanks to Erich Riebe for extending his cheerful support to all students and to the families who participated in the food drive. The program included the following people and pieces:

Lucas – The Star Spangled Banner & Jingle Bell Rock

Krish – Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star & Monkey Song

Eli – Silent Night & Paganini Waltz from Sonata #9

Lily – God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen & S’Vivon

Charlie – Fuhrmann Tanz & Baruch Shel Chanukah

Sonia – Up on the Housetop & Carcassi Andante

Alankriti – Giuliani Allegretto & Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Riya – God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen & Nonesuch

Sara – What Child is This? & Lesson for Two Lutes

Carson – Arietta Variations & O Holy Night

The Christmas in July Trio played We Wish You a Merry Christmas & Jingle Bells, and the Guitar Group played Carol of the Bells & Silent Night. It was a wonderful concert and we thank you very much for preparing so well and coming out on such a windy day!

A special thanks too, to the Aspinwall Presbyterian Church community for hosting our event in their beautiful sanctuary. Many parents shared an extra “thank you” – noting that the space had great acoustics and was easy to find. We look forward to sharing more music there with you!

Read about or schedule a lesson with Mark Marston by clicking his name.