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December 12, 2007
SUCCESSFUL TOYS FOR TOTS HOLIDAY CONCERT (Fiddlers ReStrung's Hometown Concert - December 2, 2007)
SUCCESSFUL TOYS FOR TOTS HOLIDAY CONCERT (Fiddlers ReStrung's Hometown Concert - December 2, 2007)
Press release recapping the concert - it was a great event!
SALINE - The beginning of the holiday season serves as inspiration for what each of us hopes to keep in our hearts all year long: helping those in need. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots Program, which has benefited over 173 million needy children since its inception. The Saline Fire Department has helped local children for many years and extended their efforts to include surrounding communities since their alliance six years ago with the Marine Corps’ Program. In collaboration with those efforts, Fiddlers ReStrung, a high school fiddle group sponsored by Saline Area Schools, joined in the collection efforts this year as they hosted a Hometown Holiday Benefit Concert to kick-off the Saline Fire Department’s campaign drive. Saline Fire Chief Craig Hoeft remarks, “It is always great to work with Fiddlers ReStrung and the talented young men and women who work so hard, yet make it look so easy. Thanks to Mrs. Freeman and her choir who have helped us out every time we ask, which is quite often. Most of all, it is always a great feeling to help someone in need, but an even better feeling to help a child in need.�
The concert featured a montage of community talent. Members of the Saline High School Choral Music Dept. volunteered their time and talents under the direction of Norma Freeman and piano accompanist Bob Cindric. Holiday spirit filled the auditorium as Brittany Siller, Krista Soltis, Kristine Opaleski, Kelli Andrascik, Sandra Periord and Andrew Miller opened with two carols, “Angels We Have Heard On High� and “We Three Kings�. Soloist Kristine Opaleski performed a moving rendition of “Ave Maria�, followed by “The Prayer� skillfully harmonized by Sandra Periord and Andrew Miller. The Middle School Fiddle Club debuted with their new director Krista Knight. Favorite traditional fiddle tunes included “Ashokan Farewell� and “Rakes of Mallow�. The bluegrass band Lonesome County took the stage with its own community ties. Member Kevin Frank is an alumnus of Fiddlers ReStrung. The band featured many tunes from their self-titled CD; including original score “Old Kentucky Home�, composed one melancholy evening following Chicago rush hour traffic.
Fiddlers ReStrung opened the second half of the concert with a variety of fiddle tunes, many of which differ in origin as well as composition. “New Ross’ Reel� is a lively progressive Celtic tune. Alternately, the Swedish tune “Josefin’s Waltz� offers a serenely beautiful melody. This particular fiddle tune has opened creative opportunities for FRS musicians as it marks the first time ever that an arrangement will be improvised each time it is played. A precious bit of American culture was glimpsed as Kari Frank, Fraser Christie and Courtney Trombley clogged to “Redican’s Jig�. Originally choreographed by the famous Marley family of Connecticut, this jig has been handed down through the generations since the 1930’s, and eventually to FRS choreographer Sheila Graziano.
A solo piece was later featured and artfully executed by senior bass-guitarist Matt Driskell. His song, “The Vision�, was written by the great bass-guitar player Victor Wooten, whose prestigious camp he attended this past summer. “The technical challenges of this particular tune are vast and can only be matched by the musical maturity needed to play it well. Matt's performance showed his mastery in both of these elements,� explains Artistic Director Cori Smith. As the last note faded, audience members were cheering their praise.
On hand to accept donations on behalf of “Toys for Tots� was Saline firefighter and U.S. Marine Corps Reservist Kurt Schneider, who is scheduled to be deployed to Iraq next June. Joining him were three fellow Marines from Selfridge Air Force Base, all in full dress uniform. When Saline’s Fire Chief Craig Hoeft invited the men on stage, they were greeted by a standing ovation by the entire theater audience.
The success of this collaborative community effort was evident at the end of the day. The Saline Fire Dept. returned to their station with over 150 toys for needy children and more than $300 in cash donations from generous concertgoers.
----Submitted by Sandy Fike
Posted by cseeman at December 12, 2007 11:27 AM