Music is the poetry of the air.

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~Berthold Auerbach

by Kim Thomas

Although I am an alto in a soprano world, I am also blessed to be a member of the Chancel Choir at Central Christian Church here in Lexington. This time of year is a lovely time to underscore our Easter music as well as the number of ways in which Central nurtures the musical spirit throughout the community. For example, the choir is fortunate to sponsor a number of talented singers from the University of Kentucky who lend their gorgeous voices so that our collective sound is even more joyous and inspirational.

In the coming weeks, Central will host a reception for a recital by Manuel Castillo (April 5) and for Mary-Hollis Hundley who, with several of her friends have put together quite the interesting program. Their performance will be tomorrow (March 28, 2009) at the University of Kentucky.

Also, Julianna Nitz and Shannon Younger from UK will have their recitals in Central's sanctuary. Information on all the recitals below is courtesy of Michael Rintamaa, Director of Music at Central Christian Church.

MARCH 28, 2009 - RECITAL: Julianna Nitz's recital is in our sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. Her senior clarinet recital is to fulfill her degree in Music Education from UK. She'll be performing with Josh Hall (oboe) and both Nan McSwain and Byron McChord will be accompanying. Pieces will include:Sonata (Saint-Seans), Solo de Concours (Messager), Tango No. 3 (Piazzola), Trio for Oboe, Clarinet, and Piano (Douglas), La Mer and Stranger on the Shore (both transcribed from the Lawrence Welk Show with Henry Cuesta, clarinet). A reception to follow will be hosted by Central's Youth.

MARCH 28, 2009 - RECITAL: Mary-Hollis Hundley and friends, a joint voice recital with friends at UK. Here is the information: Phillip Bullock, Luther Lewis, Tai-Kristin Smedley, and Mary-Hollis are giving a quartet junior recital on March 28th and 7:30 at 1st Presbyterian, with a reception following. Mary-Hollis says, "We're going to implement the quartet and do an operatic piece from Bizet's Docteur Miracle, 6 of the Brahms Liebeslieder Walzer and The Lord Bless You and Keep You. We are each singing one solo set each, in 4 different languages, and then each singing one piece in 3 joint sets (Handel, aria, and spirituals). We're hoping we've chosen a little bit of everything to keep the program interesting!"

APRIL 5, 2009 - RECITAL: Manuel Castillo, voice recital. Manuel's recital will be Sunday April 5th at 7:30pm in the Recital Hall, SCFA. On his program is German: Adelaide, Beethoven French: La Cloche; L'attente; L'enlevement, Camile Saint-Saens Spanish: Cuando tan hermosa os miro; Si con mis deseos; Al val de Fuente Ovejuna, Joaquín Turina Italian: il Barcaiolo, G. Donizetti; La Girometta, Sibella; Tristezza, P. Tosti; Non t'amo piu, P. Tosti; La Danza, RossiniThe reception will be provided kindly by members of Central Christian Chancel Choir and it will be at the President's room.

APRIL 18, 2009 - RECITAL: Shannon Younger's recital is in our sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. I am giving a senior French horn recital as partial fulfillment of BM in performance and BMME in instrumental music education. It should last about an hour. I am playing Dunhill Cornucopia, Mozart 4th horn concerto, Franz Strauss Fantasy on a theme by Schubert, Nicolai Duet No.1 (with Jessica Long, horn), and Legacy by Wayne Lu (with David Elliott, Joanne Filkins, Erin Murphy, and Cheryl Amstutz, horn). Also performing is Reginald Smith, baritone, on Ill Wind; this a a setting on the third movement of the Mozart with text by Flanders and Swann (it is hilarious!) All pieces will be accompanied by Nan McSwain. Reception to follow.

And you can look forward to the inspiring music offered by these musicians at Central Christian Church during upcoming Sundays -

April 5 - Palm Sunday - Jon Elliot will sing Oh I Want to Know You More, KidSing will perform, and Josh Santana, Were You There

April 9 - Maundy Thursday service starts at 7:00 p.m. -- Pie Jesu (Amanda Balltrip, and Pie Jesu, duet with Mary-Hollis Hundley and AnnaBelle Gatton-Wright) In Pilate's Hall and Thy Will Be Done

Friday, April 10 -- Meditations on the last words of Christ from the cross given by the ministerial staff. Service is from Noon to 2:00 p.m., with Michael Rintamaa and Robert Guthrie playing cello/piano meditative music in between; and Josh Santana singing Were You There.

Sunday, April 12 - Easter Sunday, Chancel Choir will sing an original composition by Dr. Johni Dean, EKU faculty brass quintent and percussionist Andy Bliss.

April 19 - Mary-Hollis Hundley, solo

April 26 - Asbury College Salvation Army Band and Chorus

May 10 - (Mother's Day) at the after church lunch: KidsSING musical "Elijah"

May 17 - Pam Hammonds, violin

We also want to highlight Paragon Music Theater's production of The King and I which comes at the end of April (23, 24, 25, 26). Here is their website for more information.

And finally, a couple of major UK School of Music events: (1) a scholarship concert featuring Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on Friday April 24, and (2) a fund-raising event on Sunday April 19 for the Women's Choir tour to Italy.

Major publicity for these events can be found on the UK School of Music homepage

March 28, 2009 Mary-Hollis Hundley and friends, voice recital

This will be a joint voice recital with friends at UK.