Christmas Joy

Today I’m playing in the orchestra for the Christmas show “Joy” that First Presbyterian Church has every year. It’s a very fun highlight I get to participate in almost every Christmas season. My sister Cyndi and Dad play this most years (not the year our niece got married on the same day as the performances) and it’s great to be able to share music with them and the other amazing musicians of the philharmonic. The show includes Celtic dancers and musicians, the Pikes Peak Ringers (an internationally known bell choir), the Children’s Chorale, guest singers, and the 200+ member choir of the church and the fantastic professional orchestra.

​I’ve been playing this gig on and off for decades. There is a framed photograph in the music office of First Pres with me sitting at the first stand of the seconds with the Assistant Concertmaster of the Colorado Springs Symphony at the time, Dick Horne, in about 1980. My dad and Cyndi were opposite us in the photo, sitting first stand of the first violins. It’s delightful to know that moment is recorded in such a nice way on that wall.

One year another of my sisters, Suzy, joined us too, and so all of the older violin players of my original family were on stage together. That was a special time. I love the music and a chance to be a part of such an extravaganza. We’ll have two concerts this afternoon, and the music will be going through my head all week. It’s a meaningful way to launch the holiday season. Hope to see some of you there!