Hark, How the Bells! International Artists Carillon™

Hello, dear Christmas-spirited people!

I am coming to you from Seattle today. And it feels like just last week that I was up here in July. Can't believe it's almost Christmas. Time is kind of freaking me out lately. But that's beside the point. I love being up here. I might have mentioned that before. I get to study with a brilliant voice coach and musician–Mark Andersen–and to perform with my brother Lynn.

This year I also get to perform in four concerts with the International Artists Carillon™ handbell ensemble, and three wonderful violinists from France; brothers Romaric, Corentin, and Emmeran Pokorny. What a gorgeous thing! I am awash in musical poetry for the next four days.

The brothers–whose musical trio is called The Rocoempo Trio (see if you can figure out where they got the name)–possess a musicality that is truly stunning. Especially for boys as young as they are (20, 18, and 16, respectively.) During rehearsal I almost missed my entrance several times because I was lost in what they were playing. Of course they pay the price: each boy practices for 3 hours a day per instrument–which includes organ and handbells, along with violin and viola. They are a prime example of getting out of a thing what they put into it. As well as having a ridunkulous amount of raw talent.

As for the English handbell ensemble–what a delight. There is nothing like a bit of handbell music for Christmas. It is like being transported into a fairy-realm where all of the music was written by Tchaikovsky. And when you watch them live, it is obvious that they love what they are doing.

My gift to you today is an introduction to both groups (who are all under the musical direction, and in many cases, composition skills, of Mark Andersen for these concerts) via a sample clip from the Carillon's Christmas Album:

The CD, "A Carillon Holiday," is available on iTunes and Amazon at a very reasonable price. It would make an ideal stocking stuffer, but I would recommend getting it now and playing it throughout the season. Especially as all of the proceeds will go into helping the choir continue to perform.

For more information about both groups you can also visit the International Artists Carillon website.

(*Disclosure: No gifts  were received by me from International Artists to endorse their CD. Except for my brother's undying love*)