Mix of music at Christmas concerts
Friends in Music, a community band for all ages and instruments, invites everyone to their upcoming holiday concerts on Thursday at Royal Gardens, 1160 Clonsilla Ave., and on Dec. 7 at Canterbury Gardens, 1414 Sherbrooke St. W., both at 7:15 p.m. All are welcome and admission is free.
The concert will include seasonal favourites such as the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel, Holidays on Parade, a medley of well-known carols, and Brazilian Sleigh Bells by Percy Faith. Other selections include Dance of the Tumblers by Rimsky-Korsakov, highlights from Mary Poppins, City of Stars from the movie La La Land and Eagles Among Us, a soaring soundscape by Brian Balmages.
“We have lots of wonderful music to share with our audience members, including some fun seasonal music to help get everyone into the spirit of the holidays,” says Marilyn Croteau Chalk, music director.
New members are always welcome to come to rehearsals which take place Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Long and McQuade Music Centre, 129 Aylmer St. N. The ensemble is made up of brass, woodwinds, strings, keyboard and percussion, playing music at an easy-to-medium level of difficulty. The group’s members include those in a range of ages, from high school students to retirees. Some are talented musicians from the Kawartha Youth Orchestra.
The group’s music director is Marilyn Croteau Chalk, who has much experience conducting bands with energy and enthusiasm. She selects repertoire that spans the musical ages - from 18th century classical music and 21st century beloved band classics to Broadway musicals and original works by today’s composers. Chalk says that the band loves to play and learn from all styles and genres of music.
The group performs several times a year at local retirement residences and community events.
For further information about Friends in Music please visit them at www.friendsinmusic.ca or email lorick@cogeco.ca.
Art show
The Winter Show featuring members’ winter-themed artwork will have its opening reception at the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with refreshments and artists present.
Daniel Marlatt will have several of his pieces on display. He has created art all his life and explored all types of media as a hobby. He works with natural stone, stainless steel and wood to create wall sculptures of land and seascapes.
Since moving to the Trent Lakes area, he has become a full -ime artist and gallery owner of the Miskwaa Art Studio and Outdoor Gallery located on the historic Miskwaa Ziibi River, at 250 Edwina Dr., an outdoor gallery where the work of other artists is showcased outside under nature’s canopy of trees.
Marlatt is the vice-president of the Kawartha Artists’ Gallery and Studio and takes part in several other art organizations, including acting as Exhibition Chair at the Kawartha Arts Network taking part in the Art and Heritage Trail project of the Kawartha Lakes Art Council.
The show continues until Jan. 14, but the gallery is closed over Christmas from Dec. 22 until Jan. 3. Located at 420 O’Connell Rd., the gallery is open daily from Wednesday to Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday. For more information, please call 705-741-2817 or visit www.kawarthartists.org.
We have lots of wonderful music to share with our audience members, including some fun seasonal music to help get everyone into the spirit of the holidays.” Marilyn Croteau Chalk Music director