Author Archives: MaryClare Martin

The warmth of music dispelled the gloom of the afternoon on December 22, when the formerly Hartnell Community Choir now known as Choral Artists of Carmel gave their concert at Church of the Wayfarer. Robin McKee Williams conducts this small but mighty group of singers. McKee Williams has the terrific knack of uniting wondrous voices along with using Monterey Strings, under the direction of David Dally, violin, and including Laura Burian, violin, Arlyn Knapic, viola, Margie Dally, cello, and Constantine Theodosian, double bass; Pamela Scholz, harp, Greg Bullock, percussion, and Robert McNamara, guitar. Not one to shy away from seemingly daunting repertoire, McKee Williams provides repertoire that elevates and educates musically. The gamut of this program began with the soloist, Heather Green, soprano, singing her own composition, Tomorrow Never Knows. With confident piano from George Peterson, an introduction with Margie Dally’s liquid and richly smooth cello, McNamara’s guitar, strings and quirky percussion from Bullock, there was no doubt that this would be an afternoon of extraordinary music. 

Beautiful afternoon sunshine shone to invite all to the annual Christmas With The Camerata Singers on December 15 at First Presbyterian Church of Monterey. This was a program not to be missed. Under artistic director and conductor John Koza, these singers continue to prove their choral chops. A Koza hallmark is excellent diction, and even without the helpful program notes these singers continue to evoke the best in their programing. Koza is quite masterful at choosing repertoire for this season and group. Familiar seasonal favorites along side a couple of not often programmed selections made the variety just right. It is a great balance when a program has both known repertoire as well as introducing the not often heard.

Monterey Peninsula Voices presented Remembering Decembers at First Presbyterian Church of Monterey on Sunday afternoon, December 8. This true community group of ninety singers of many ages and levels of experience comes together under the direction of Sean Boulware. Boulware wisely chooses repertoire to show off this group’s capabilities. They look and sound like they are having fun. Enthusiasm always transmits to the audience – you see on their faces and hear in their voices. While the first half represented a number of December favorites around the world, the second half presented a very ambitious major work. This group is consistently and more than solidly accompanied by Michelle Galindo who never fails to make the accompaniments look and sound easy through a myriad of styles. 

A lovely fall afternoon befitting Sacred Words welcomed all to the Church In The Forest. Under the direction of Dr. Sean Boulware, the women of Aria continue their vocal excellence. So many of the afternoon’s pieces carried a messages that endure through the ages. Even with contemporary settings, words from thousands of years ago from diverse sacred texts are strikingly comforting in today’s world. As Boulware described, these texts are important in many faith journeys as anchor, comfort, and strength. 

Words from Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist, interspersed with Psalm 21, were the basis for the Joan Szymko setting, “I Lift My Eyes.” This was a most appropriate lead in to “Gate Gate” which is a Sanskrit text. “Gate” means gone – as in from suffering, from forgetfulness to mindfulness, as in to the other side. Fragments of Sufi Rumi poetry were the inspiration for “Where Your Bare Foot Walks.” This romantic work was written for David Childs’ bride as an emotional present of love.