Special bluegrass program at CVUMC

[Brian]

Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church is featuring a Bluegrass Christmas Cantata at its service from 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday, December 17, in the church's sanctuary at 2700 Montrose Ave., Montrose, CA 91020.  Quoting from the CVUMC website;

Music by Bill Monroe, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, and Mary Chapin Carpenter, as well as the standards "Joy to the World" and "Joyful, Joyful," will be performed. Local Los Angeles bluegrass legends Evan J. Marshall (mandolin) and Jesse Olema (fiddle) will be featured as well as rising artist Holly Pyle on vocals. The CVUMC band, all prominent LA Musicians - Ricky Cosentino (vocals/percussion), Tim Kobza (guitar), Alexis Sklarevski (bass), Barb Catlin (pianist/director) - and the CVUMC Choir will fill the sanctuary with spirited and beautiful music. Celebrate the Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy of the season - All are welcome!

[anni]

Like a kid waiting for Santa, I am so excited about this year's "Bluegrass Christmas Cantata"
...and am ready to CELEBRATE!!!

[Brian]

Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church also had a Bluegrass Christmas Cantata last year with the same church band, guest musicians and singer Holly Pyle -- those who attended the Joni & Friends musical program at CVUMC last August will remember her. That's why I'm even more excited about going next Sunday, December 17, at 10 a.m.

Learn more about CVUMC and its members at their excellent website:

www.cvumc.org/

[Brian]

Montrose Peace Vigil regulars Roberta, Janice, Russell, Anni and me joined the congregation at Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church on Sunday to enjoy the glorious Bluegrass Christmas Cantata.  If you couldn't be there, I'll try to provide the next best thing -- an embedded video of the entire performance -- when it's posted on You Tube.

Looks like the calendar copy that I copied on top of this thread mistakenly included Holly Pyle from last year's program.  Instead, we heard other solo vocalists:  soprano Melissa Faye Klein, alto Lauren Doyel and tenor James Blake.  The rest of the roster above for the CVUMC Band and guest musicians is correct.  I also want to acknowledge the stellar vocal arrangements of the CVUMC Choir:  Kathy Garrett, Mary Moreno, Jo Ann Stupakis, Jenny Hambarsumian, Jeanne Lavieri, Diane Lewis, Andrew Delman and Don Taylor.

[Brian]

According to You Tube, this stream of the December 17, 2023 service at Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church was uploaded in the wee hours Thursday morning. I cued the single-camera video to start six minutes in, a few seconds before Barb cues the band into the prelude: