Piano recital raises Christmas spirit at St. Peter's Episcopal Church
A Buddy the Elf once said “The best way to bring Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Families and friends of Ann Lamoureau’s piano students took that to heart on Sunday, Dec. 6 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Twenty-four of Lamoureau’s students, ages ranging from 6 to 16, performed in the well-paced holiday affair. Some students performed a handful of songs rather than just one Christmas classic. Many of her students participated in duets with Lamoureau herself, as some of them get the jitters, she said.
“Some of them want to play solos, though,” Lamoureau said.
Students have been practicing for this performance since October.
Before wrapping things up, Lamoureau led the packed house in a few Christmas carols that the performers and families sang along to, including a rousing rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Lamoureau has been teaching piano for 30 years. She is based at Symphony Music Shop at 94 State Road and also gives private lessons. She was very impressed with her students’ performances, as were the many families in attendance. Several of the younger performers had heads turning.
Nico Souza was one such performer. Souza, now in his second recital, has been playing piano for nearly a year. However, his performance hinted only at his potential, not his inexperience.
Souza performed “The First Noel” and “Jingle Bells” “because I liked those songs,” he said.
“Everyone played wonderful,” said Lila Hamilton.
Hamilton, 15, was the finale of the recital, performing “What Child Is This,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “O Come Little Children” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” A student at Dartmouth High School, Hamilton has been playing piano for nine years. She was inspired to take up an instrument so she could play with her her sister, who played guitar. She is a fan of classical composers, Beethoven being chief among them.
Despite having performed in numerous recitals, she still gets some nerves before playing in front of an audience.
“But I think it improves the playing,” Hamilton said.
