Dumbarton Concert Series

It doesn’t get any better than this for concerts during the Christmas season, and at other times of the year too I’m sure! I’m a sucker for intimate performance spaces and the Dumbarton United Methodist Church in Georgetown that is used for these concerts is stunningly beautiful with creaky old wooden floors and gorgeous stained glass windows.
On Saturday December 4, 2010 I volunteered for the 15^th year in a row at the season opening of the Celtic Christmas Concert. There are certain pieces of music done by certain artists in a particular arrangement that become etched in the mind as definitive. Listening to Silent Night in the concert’s second half every year done by the respective artists on harp. mandolin, and flute is as much a requirement of the season as putting up our Christmas tree! Not only is this particular arrangement enough to get you hooked on Celtic music, but experiencing it in a candlelit church sanctuary that is decorated to the holiday hilt and with the waning sunlight pouring through the stained glass will get you in touch with the essence of why this Christmas classic is sung the world over. The reading of Dylan Thomas’ «A Child’s Christmas in Wales» by WETA’s Robert Aubry Davis is also a must every season. And you’ll hear plenty of non Christmas music at this concert as well, the better to get you to buy one (or more!) of the CDs for sale!
The Concert Series has other performances of chamber music done by artists on guitar, piano, etc. as well as vocal performances of Broadway and jazz music. It’s the Celtic Christmas Concert that I love the most though. Once you’ve found parking, you’re over the stressful part and are in for a treat if you take in any of the concerts that make up the Dumbarton Concert Series.