First, let me officially wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. \u00a0This is one of my favorite holidays of the year and I want to make sure we don’t overlook it. \u00a0I just think that the idea of our country setting aside a particular day of giving thanks to our Creator for our many blessings is rather unique and admirable. \u00a0I especially like the history of the Pilgrims and that nearly 240 years later, President Lincoln decided we should celebrate a national day of thanksgiving. \u00a0In reading about President Abraham Lincoln, it is easy to deduct that our president was thankful to God, our Creator for His goodness to us as a nation. \u00a0I like that too!<\/p>\n
Of course, with the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, that also means the announcement of the Christmas season too. \u00a0Music and Christmas go together like turkey and stuffing. \u00a0And what better way of ringing in the season than with a concert of bells, ringing out some of the most loved Christmas songs of all time? \u00a0We looked high and low to find one of the finest professional handbell choirs in the country. \u00a0We found them in the San Francisco Bay Area in the Sonos Handbell Ensemble.<\/p>\n
This professional music ensemble has appeared on major television shows and radio broadcasts, including most recently, a second appearance on Garrison Keillor’s \u201cA Prairie Home Companion\u201d. \u00a0They have toured all over the world and performed with some of the finest orchestras, including the San Francisco Symphony.<\/p>\n
In looking over their program of music they will perform in Van Wert at the Niswonger this December 1, I can tell you it is going to be a spectacular program of Christmas music with everything from Handel’s Messiah<\/i> to \u201cJingle Bells\u201d and even \u201cWhite Christmas\u201d. \u00a0Guest instrumentalists are added to give variety and color to the program. \u00a0Noted as the Olympians of handbell ensembles tells me that we are in for not only a musical feast, but also a visual treat.<\/p>\n
Bringing a professional handbell group like Sonos in town, just means we need to take the advantage of offering an educational opportunity for those who ring bells throughout our area in community and church ensembles. \u00a0We will do that following the concert. \u00a0We have nearly 60 ringers from the region who will be staying around after the concert to learn from these professionals.<\/p>\n