Owens concert honors member of famed flying squad

The Tower Brass Quintet. Clockwise from left:: Charles Saenz, Brian Bushong, Bernice Schwartz, David Saygers, and Dan Saygers

The Owens College Community Band will perform its holiday concert at 2:30 p.m. Sunday with special guests, tributes, and a variety of music under the direction of William Dais.

Special honoree will be Col. Harold Brown, a retired serviceman and member of the famed World War II Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American flying squad in U.S. military history. Brown, now a Port Clinton resident, was involved in the production of Red Tails, Stephen Spielberg's tribute film to the Airmen's 332nd Fighter Group.

Also on the program will be music from many holiday traditions, a Christmas singalong, and "Harlem Nocturne," with saxophone soloist Gary Herren in the spotlight.

Admission is free.

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The Clarence Smith Community Chorus will present its Celebration of Christmas at 6 p.m. Saturday in Mount Pilgrim Church, 1401 Hoag St. Joining the chorus will be the Brian Thomas Chorale and the Limitless Dance Company from the Toledo School for the Arts.

On the program will be a wondrous array of musical styles -- spirituals, classical selections, seasonal music, and a singalong led by the founder and director.

Admission is free with an offering collected. Food gifts also will be accepted.

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When the Trinity Episcopal Church Canterbury Choir begins its annual holiday service at 7 p.m. Sunday in the historic downtown church, music minister Wayne Anthony will conduct some of his own compositions. A much-lauded composer, Anthony wrote a series of hymns and other sacred music based on melodies from the Orthodox Church.

Moreover, Anthony, an accomplished harpist, will conduct guest harpist Julie Buzzelli and the choir in Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols.

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Northwest Ohio's renowned Tower Brass Quintet will present a free holiday concert at 7 p.m. Sunday in Community of Christ Lutheran Church, Dutch and Finzel roads in Whitehouse.

In its 30-year career, the quintet has gained an international reputation for fine performances of brass music, both standard classical and original commissions. Members are David and Dan Saygers, Bernice Schwartz, Brian Bushong, and Charles Saenz.

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The University of Toledo has sent a Save the Date note to the community in advance of its inaugural Holiday Opera Gala, set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 in Doermann Theater, University Hall, 2801 W. Bancroft St. Department of Fine and Performing Arts faculty and students will provide a lively and varied program to raise funds for student events.

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The Toledo Symphony continues to wander northwest Ohio like an expanded version of the Magi, bringing gifts of music, joy, and wonder to many communities. A word to those who wish to attend: most of these concerts sell out rather quickly -- whether ticketed or not -- so making a reservation early is essential.

At 3:30 p.m. Saturday at First Congregational Church, 2315 Collingwood Blvd., the symphony will kick off the weekend with a festive program of Christmas music. Tim Lake, narrator, will perform a new version of the old classic, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," to music from Elgar's Enigma Variations. Resident conductor Jeffrey Pollock will lead the program. Concertgoers will get a chance to admire the church's historic Tiffany windows.

For information on tickets, call the church, 419-243-6248.

A similar program is planned for 4 p.m. Sunday in All Saints Church, 628 Lime City Rd., Rossford. Also performing will be trumpeter David Kosmyna in the Hovhaness classic, Prayer of St. Gregory.

For information and tickets, contact the church at 419-666-1393.

The Toledo Symphony concert train will stop for a 7 p.m. concert Tuesday at Westgate Chapel, 2500 Wilford Dr., Sylvania Township. A Christmas-inspired program is planned. Tickets need to be reserved at the Westgate office, 419-841-8004.

Next stop will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at Clay High School, 5665 Seaman Rd., Oregon. Pollock will lead a holiday program with tubist David Saltzman stepping out front to solo in Stephenson's "Wassail, Wassail All Over the Tuba." For information, contact the school at 419-693-0665.

On Dasher, on Dancer, on 80 symphony musicians on a mission -- the orchestra will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at St. Patrick Church, 610 South Portland St., Bryan. Under Pollock's baton, the ensemble will perform Christmas music from many times and periods, including the Elgar piece with Tim Lake.

Also joining the group will be singers Colin Ruffer and Kristen Kurivial. For tickets and information, contact the church at 419-636-1044.

Finally, the week ahead will wind down in a performance at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at the YMCA West, 2100 Tremainsville Rd. For tickets and information, call 419-475-3496.

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Central Catholic High School will herald the holidays with its annual Sounds of Christmas Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St. Among the performing groups will be the CCHS Glee Club, the Mixed Chorus, Gospel Choir, Concert Band, String Orchestra, and Irish Dance Team.

Tickets are $7-$10 at the high school, 419-255-2280 ext. 1137 or www.centralcatholic.org or at the Valentine Theatre box office.

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At Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor, music continues with a set of performances at 7:30 and 9 p.m. Friday featuring Celtic music. The show Cairn to Cairn will be performed by flutist and singer Kelly McDermott, guitarist and singer Terry Farmer, and Rob Crozier, bassist and percussionist, who also will sing.

The Sunday show at 4 p.m. is titled All About the Trio, and will be a tribute to Hank Jones performed by pianist Ellen Rowe, bassist Paul Keller, and drummer Pete Siers.

Global Jazz Project is the title for an 8 p.m. show on Dec. 13 by saxman Mark Hershberger, guitarist/mandolinist Bastian Trimpe, bassist Dave Sharp, and percussionists Larry LeDuff and Gayelynn McKinney.

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Last call for Verdi: the Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD series will feature two productions of works by the Italian master in the next two Saturdays.

This weekend, a new Met production of Un Ballo in Maschera(The Masked Ball) will begin at 12:55 p.m. at Rave Cinema theaters at Franklin Park and Fallen Timbers.

Transformed into a dreamlike setting by director David Alden, this version will star Marcelo Alvarez, Sondra Radvanovsky, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Kathleen Kim, and Stephanie Blythe. Fabio Luisi will conduct. (Encore date is Jan. 9)

At the same time on Dec. 15, the spectacle of Aida starring Roerto Alagna and Olga Borodina will begin, with Luisi conducting. (Encore date is Jan. 16.)

Tickets at the box office start at $22 for live shows and $18 for encores.

Stay home and listen to the Metropolitan Opera broadcast over WGTE FM91 and you'll hear program and music director of the local public broadcasting station on the intermission Opera Quiz Panel. The broadcast begins at 1 p.m.

Items for News of Music should be sent to svallongo@theblade.com at least two weeks ahead of the event.