Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

I have to comment on this year’s Christmas concert by the Rotary Community Chorus. The selections ran the gamut from the sublime to the ridiculous, from quiet introspections to rollicking good fun.

The super-talented percussionist Alex Tapp appeared on both sides of the stage as well as occupying a seat among the bass singers. He was equally at home with the tall set of hanging chimes, the timpani, the set of drums including cymbals and snare, and even a bongo drum near him in the middle of the singers! Big bravo, Alex!

Refreshing to see a return of Barbara Tilley and her soulful flute playing. She worked with her friend Pam McNeil in perfect ensemble, even turning pages for Pam when her flute had long rests.

And I have to rejoice in the return of Lee Reynolds and her joyful, enthusiastic turn on her big ol’ string bass.

Lordy hallelujah for our Pam McNeil, who provided every nuance to the wide range of music selected. I especially enjoyed the shade of the late Jerry Lee Lewis that surfaced in the rollicking “Grandma got run over by a Reindeer!” Sure glad the lid was already off the big Steinway, as it would doubtless have been blown off by the boisterous, boogie-style bass accompanying Grandma’s flight of fancy. And Ms. Reynolds was in her element in this one for sure!

Of course, I must thank Dell Morgan for putting the program together and then making it happen. He is a charismatic conductor who is in absolute command of the performance . . . No one misses a cue, even if it’s only a flick of a wee finger!

Even the stage setting sparkled with little white lights embedded in the greenery and on the tall Christmas trees at each side of the stage. Kudos to everyone involved in bringing us a lot of Christmas spirit on a misty Sunday afternoon.

 

Garland O. Goodwin

Tryon