Christmas music fills the air at St. Anastasia Catholic Church

SAINT AUGUSTINE – St. Anastasia Catholic Church invites the public to two Christmas concerts. The St. Augustine Concert Band will perform at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15. The band was originally established in the early 1900’s with as a small military style band of about 16 members. Today, and after nearly 65 years of dormancy, the 70 member Saint Augustine Concert Band is back in full force under the baton of Maestro Geoffrey S. Magnani.  Members range in ages from 16 to 80 including high school students, amateurs and semi-professionals from all walks of life.

The choirs of St. Anastasia Catholic Church will perform a Christmas concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22.

The Metzger-Schmitz Christmas Concert featuring the Choirs of St. Anastasia and special guests will honor the memory of two members of the adult choir who both passed way last year, Clarence Metzger and Ron Schmitz.

 

“Both men and their families were great supporters of our concerts and music-making here at St. Anastasia,” explained Peter Morin, director of music at the church.  “Ron sang in our chamber choir, was a cantor and bass in the parish chorale.  He loved to

sing and was an enthusiastic lover of choral music and the church.  Clarence equally loved music and he and his wife Sally have been great patrons of our concert series, parish music ensembles and St. Anastasia,” Morin noted.

 

The concert will feature Christmas favorites and an audience carols sing along and performances by the parish chorale, choristers, Sunday Ensemble, soloists Carolyn “Cal” Brown and Joe Colsant, Helen Morin on violin and Michael Harper on trumpet.  Peter Morin will conduct and lead from organ, piano and harpsichord.

The concert and parking are free. Donations will be accepted to cover expenses. The event will take place in the church sanctuary, 5205 A1A South on Anastasia Island. For information call 471-5364.