One of the metrics for how close the holidays loom is now upon us. It’s called “Midday Noels,” and it’s a concert series every December on successive Thursdays.
“We've got a great lineup of concert offerings,” First Presbyterian Church's minister of music Tom Dooling said. “The first concert will feature our own organist, Dr. Jae Ha, several of our really talented singers."
Dr. Ha, a pianist, has even found a way to accompany himself.
IF YOU GO WHAT: Midday Noels WHERE: First Presbyterian Church downtown WHEN: noon, Dec. 6, 13 & 20 COST: Free
“Through the use of sequencing technology, he's prerecorded himself playing our organ, and will then play piano along with the organ in duet fashion," he said.
“The second concert we do is a family called the Cox family — Bernita and Carl Cox,” Dooling said. “They have wonderful children that form an ensemble and they sing largely acapella music, a number of Gospel pieces."
Its last event is just five days before Christmas.
“So our last concert offering ... is drawn from the U.S. Band Of The West. They have two brass quintets that are drawn from the larger band,” he said.
If you’re wondering how you can work at a lunchtime concert in, Dooling said you shouldn’t worry.
“We do a hot lunch here at the church that's served immediately after the concert, and the concerts are only 30, 40 minutes in length. So you can come and enjoy the concert and enjoy lunch and probably be back to work in an hour and a half or so,” he said.
Sandwiches are also available for $3. But regardless of whether or not you eat, the music is all free.
Jack Morgan can be reached at jack@tpr.org