Penny's concert - Yule 2008

The York Region School Board Staff Singers had their 2008 Christmas concert at the church in Arora over a week ago. I have been a tad remiss in getting these few shots up here - together with some drivel.
The choir had some help this year from a harpist, a guitarist and a precussionist who played a marimba and a vibraphone (both forms of xylophone).

The harp was truly beautiful. Sanya Eng, the harpist, explained the instrument (seen here).

If anyone has any tips on controlling where the text and pictures land, please feel free to send me a note, comment ...

I am having a wonderful time getting this all layed out the way I think it should be. Hit "Publish Post" and look at something completely different.

Do I have to learn HTML or some other archaic language? End of rant.

Rob MacDonald, guitarist, incidentally from Nova Scotia, is tuning up here. He was very good, a wonder to watch and lovely to listen to. He's played with lots of people (classical). Must look up his CDs.

I don't have a decent picture of the marimba and player, but I got to talk with him a bit. His vibraphone is a classic, made by a firm in Chicago in the 30's or so, and it belonged to a really famous jazz vibe Canadian guy whose name I cannot recall at the moment. He is married to the harpist. You should see them wrestle with their stuff!

The choir and the musicians sounded great. Some years the "special guests" (sounds like someone who arrived on the short bus) over-power the choir, but the amalgam worked well this year.

And they sounded pretty good on their own.

But there was a slight problem: Paul Nicholson, the choir director, forgot or misplaced his music. This caused some confusion from time to time. "What song is HE doing?"

'Twas a fine concert. Dana and Hannah were there and we all had fun. And goodies after.

And so, to all a good night.