Enjoy enchanting music at Apple Tree Arts' "Holiday Tapestry Concert." The free concert is part of "Grafton Celebrates the Holidays" festivities sponsored by the Town of Grafton’s Recreation Commission.
"Our ninth annual holiday concert resembles a tapestry with different kinds of music interwoven with percussion, ukulele, piano and chamber orchestra instrumental sounds," noted Donna Blanchard, executive director of Apple Tree Arts. "The wide palette of styles along with the participation from our Community Chorus, Show Choir, Flute Choir, faculty members, colleagues and Story Teller John Carlson who will read an exciting musical tale enhance this afternoon of entertainment," she added.
A few of the selections Apple Tree Arts Community Chorus will perform include "Hevenu Shalom Aleichem," a Hebrew folk song, "! CANTAR!" a Spanish carol and "Furaha!," a Swahili song about joy. The tenor-bass ensemble will sing the Ukraine folk song "Sleigh Ride." Accomplished pianist Tina Ho accompanies the chorus throughout the concert. The chorus under the direction of Ms. Blanchard has been rehearsing since mid-September.
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Other selections the 25-member chorus will sing include a madrigal "To Shorten Winter’s Sadness" by Thomas Weelkes and David Lantz's gospel song "What a Mighty Wonder in a Tiny Stall!" Several musicians including violinist Jeanne Drumm and her students, flutist Linda Bento-Rei and her students, trumpeter/trombonist Russell Jewell, cellist Mario Portev and Tina Ho will accompany the chorus on"The Many Moods of Christmas" written by Robert Shaw and Robert Russell Bennett.
Many musicians will participate in the concert. Apple Tree Arts’ Flute Choir under the direction of Linda Bento-Rei will perform Two Paraphrases on "Walloon Christmas Carols" by Joseph Jongen. "Santa Baby" will be performed by several members of the Show Choir under the direction of Lisa Scarlett. Tim Gruntman directs several ukulele musicians playing a Hawaiian Christmas song and "Silent Night."
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Board of Selectman John Carlson narrates the children’s story, "Pete the Cat Saves Christmas" written by Eric Litwin. In this remake of the traditional children’s poem "The Night before Christmas," Pete saves the day by helping Santa deliver toys.
A drawing for the American Girl doll grand piano will be held during the concert. All proceeds benefit Apple Tree Arts’ programming.
Children also are invited to join the fundraising campaign to restore the Grafton Town House by bringing their pennies to add to our huge jug full of loose change.
Apple Tree Arts serves over 1,000 children and adults annually with a variety of early childhood music courses, adult enrichment classes, private music instruction, ensembles and theater arts programs. For more information, please contact Apple Tree Arts, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization at (508)-839-4286 or visit www.appletreearts.org