The sights, sounds and joy of the Holidays

Claudia Polzin Consultant to Nonprofits

All of us have personal and family traditions that are associated with holidays – we remember our favorite foods, favorite events and favorite holiday songs. The holidays can be a very nostalgic time for many – but what better way to remember all of our favorites but to go to concerts, events and plan special times with friends.

Christmas concerts in our area churches will fill you with the traditional, secular and sacred memories – beginning on December 2nd – 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church Naples – the program will feature the Chancel Choir performing a concert that celebrates the joy of Christmas through song.

For a change of pace – December 3rd – North Naples Church at 7 p.m. Big Band Christmas Extravaganza – Lew DelGatto and Dan Miller with an all-star big band will present a holiday themed concert featuring the music of Duke Ellington and Count Basie.

December 9th – Service of Lessons and Carols at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church at 4 p.m. – the service will feature nine
lessons and carols with the Chancel Choir, VandeReaders theatre troupe, soloist Michele Byrd; Matthew Sonneborn,
trumpet; and Stanley Leonard, timpanist. The concert will feature a World Premiere of Fanfares and Celebration – for
organ and timpani, written by Mr. Leonard to celebrate the new Lively-Fulcher organ in the Sanctuary.

December 13th – Seraphic Fire – Grammy nominated vocal artistry of this ensemble group presents your favorite
English carols and transcendent chant at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church – concert at 7 p.m.

December 15th and 16th – 5 p.m. at Trinity-by-the-Cove – “On Christmas Night” – featuring the choir of Trinity singing
old and new favorites. Accompanied by Dickie Fleisher, harp; Wendy Willis, flute and Peter Lewis, Casavant Organ. The
concert selections range from “Sussex Carol” to “No Room at the Inn’, “African Noel” and a Christmas Day medley.

December 16th also has concerts at Moorings Presbyterian and St. Monica’s Episcopal – at 10 a.m. at Moorings Presbyterian
you can hear Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria; and at 4 p.m. at St. Monica’s there will be a traditional advent service of lessons carols.
An entire series of events can be found at Palm Cottage – as part of the celebration of the Naples Historical Society you can enjoy the history of Naples through the joys of the Holiday traditions – celebrate the 10 days of Christmas at Palm Cottage – every evening from 5-7 p.m.

The traditions of our community are brought to life in Southwest Holiday Traditions; the reading of The Night before Christmas, hear and learn about the role of the Victrola; history of trees and ornaments and recipes from yesteryear. As the one organization in Naples that preserves and celebrates Naples history – they bring the holiday traditions to life in a unique,
educational and entertaining way. A successful relatively new concert series finds a new home and an exciting new Grand Piano to perform on – Grand Piano Series – will have their home at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church. This year they will also celebrate that the artists will be performing on a Fazioli F308 Grand Piano (10’2”).

The concert on December 10th will be the first one performed on this fantastic Concert Grand. There are only six public
organizations in the US that own a Fazioli F308 Grand. Naples is indeed proud and fortunate to be the home of one
of these incredible instruments. This list of concerts is only the “tip of the iceberg” of what is available in our beautiful area. Most of the concerts in the churches are free, but some require that you call and obtain a ticket – double check to be sure you can hear and enjoy the concerts of your choice.

Remember to take time during this month of December to enjoy your family and friends and celebrate all that is special to you and yours.