Tapestry women’s chorus and bell ringers to perform in Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill
PLEASANT HILL and WALNUT CREEK, CA (Nov. 26, 2024) — Tapestry, an East Bay musical institution for over 20 years, kicks off its new era with a series of “Sparkle!” holiday concerts on December 4, 6, and 15 in Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill.
Incoming director Phil Johnson will lead the English bell ringers and women’s chorus singers in a varied program of light-hearted and more serious pieces all related to the holiday season.
The December 4 and 6 concerts will be held at Walnut Creek United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. On December 15, the venue shifts to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Hill with a 4 p.m. start time.
The ringers and singers, in their ticket site posting, “guarantee to do our best to put you in the mood to celebrate.”
New director Johnson, a San Francisco resident, brings a varied musical background and his own brand of energy to his role with Tapestry.
He plays cello, piano, and organ. He has taught piano and cello, along with voice and music theory. His resume includes stints acting, directing, and producing in musical theater. He served as music director for churches in Toronto, London, Michigan, and Minnesota, in addition to California.
He has conducted and performed throughout Europe and North America. He achieved a Masters degree in conducting from San Francisco State University.
The program takes its name from the light-hearted song “Sparklejollytwinklejingly” which kicks off the second half of the concert with an appearance by a Christmas elf.
The wide-ranging playlist includes traditional carols such as “God Rest Ye Merry,” jazz with “Charlie Brown Christmas,” classical with “Nutcracker,” and music from other cultures including “Fum, Fum, Fum.”
Tapestry is known for its professionalism, with the singers performing from memory, without the sheet music many groups rely on. Craig Beattie accompanies the aggregation on piano, with other instruments appearing where appropriate.
Admission is $20 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children 12 and under. Tickets are available through www.Purplepass.com/tapestrysparkle, either directly or by link on the www.tapestryringersandsingers.org website, and at the door.