Playing “At the Manger” at Mt. Pleasant Community

I enjoyed returning for the 10th time to the Four-Manual Allen Millenium Digital Organ at Ohio Living Mt. Pleasant to play my 2024 Christmas Program “At the Manger” for the residents.  There were close to a hundred folks present in the room and as well the program was live-streamed to the in-house network so residents through the various levels of living on the campus could view and enjoy the music whever they were located.

The organ is now twenty-four years old but sounds brand new in the beautiful chapel.  In particular, the organ string division is notable and adds a very noble sound to the organ, perfect for my version of Yon’s Gesu Bambino.  The Allen Sound Expander adds a good number of both orchestral and organ voices, providing some great tuned percussion instruments for sparkling Christmas effects, along with “choral aahs” for the angel voices (for the four angel hymns) which the residents joined.  Close to the end of the program I moved over to a BEAUTIFUL 1920’s vintage Steinway rebuilt and restored to perfect condition, what a SWEET PIANO to play a couple of fun Christmas Songs before the grand organ finale, a juxtaposition of Joy to the World with the Halleluah Chorus.

Thanks to Scott Wilson, and the Residents Association for this invitation to play this program!   I’ll look forward to any future times to play and explore this instrument.