Blog
Christmas Concert with Earnest Alexander
posted in: Composing/Arranging
The Stuff of Life
Friday, November 21, 2003
One thing that usually only people involved in things like gift shops or church music can appreciate is the time it takes to prepare and plan for the holidays.
A year ago, I played piano for a Christmas concert featuring Earnest Alexander, a local favorite gospel singer and the executive director of a Christian mentoring ministry called "Youth Horizons." The concert featured a local big band, and we ended up using several jazz arrangements of Christmas carols that I used to use at First Baptist when I put on our own annual Christmas show called "We Wish You a Swingin' Christmas."
Last year's event was when Earnest "discovered" me. We began working together regularly soon after that and throughout this year I have accompanied him as he has performed in numerous churches throughout the city, using his considerable vocal gifts, and recruiting mentors for Youth Horizons.
This year Earnest asked me to write several arrangements for the concert which will be on the 29th of this month. I've spent most every free moment in November working on these charts, and as of 10 p.m. last night, they were all finished.
It's felt good to have "real work" as an arranger, especially using some of my jazz arranging chops. (3 of the arrangements are for Earnest and Big Band.) I'll again be playing the concert and I'm looking forward to hearing the pieces performed and hearing the crowd's response to Earnest singing them. It should be a lot of fun.
My association with Earnest has been a real gift for me and our family in numerous ways; I hope we can continue to work together as God allows and leads us to do so.
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