The Bastrop Community Orchestra just completed the Fall portion of the 2008-2009 Inaugural Season with four community Christmas concerts.
The BCO extends Rave Reviews to the citizens of the historic town of Bastrop, Texas, for their enthusiastic support. Audiences were enraptured by the sounds of live Christmas music performed by strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
Saturday, December 6, 2008:
- The residents of Argent Court Assisted Living Community graciously hosted the debut performance of the BCO in their festively decorated living room, singing along to "Joy to the World", "Silent Night", and "Jingle Bells" featuring flutist Michelle Smith and accompanied by the orchestra.
Saturday, December 13, 2008:
- The BCO started its first local concert tour in the morning with the Bastrop Public Library Open House. Their doors were opened to the entire community, including the combined members of the BCO and the First United Methodist Church Hand Bell Choir, under the direction of Brenda Zimmerman. After the inspiring Hand Bell Choir performance of "O, How Joyfully", the two musical ensembles combined to present the popular "Carol of the Bells", followed by seven additional pieces performed by the BCO. Everyone enjoyed the Library's warm hospitality, delicious Christmas refreshments, and the company of the friendly Library staff, volunteers, and over seventy patrons.
- The second stop on the tour found the BCO and the Hand Bell Choir quickly setting up inside the Bastrop Community Center on Main Street, courtesy of the Bastrop Visitors Center located next door. Shoppers and vendors alike enjoyed the strains of Christmas music, including "Child of the Poor/What Child Is This?" and "Huron Indian Carol" featuring violinist Jonathan Charlton and flutist Michelle Smith. The rich symphonic sounds wafted out onto the street through the open doors of the Center, setting the mood for the ambulatory audience enjoying the beautiful -- albeit windy -- sunny weather well-suited for all the activities of the day.
- The final stop on the day's tour placed the BCO in the middle of the street at the River of Lights Christmas Parade terminus at Main Street and Pine Street as they enjoyed the fruits of the labor of the Bastrop Downtown Business Alliance visible in displays of community organizations rolling by. The BCO celebrated Santa's arrival with a final performance of their eight-song repertoire, including a rendition of "Carol of the Bells" featuring Emily "Charlie" Charlton playing the hand bell part on keyboard, the classic Bach "Sheep May Safely Graze" and Pachelbel "Canon in D". The appreciative audience, including dancing children and spontaneous singers, completed the full welcome of the Bastrop Community Orchestra to the historic town.
The members of the Bastrop Community Orchestra would like to extend their deep appreciation to the above-mentioned hosts and to the following volunteers, without whom the 2008 portion of their Inaugural Season would have been quite difficult, if not impossible: