Champlain Islands Ensemble A Success

An appreciative crowd enjoyed the first performance of the Champlain Islands Ensemble held at the No. Hero Methodist Church.  Under the direction of Bill Karstens,  13 Island musicians performed works by J.S. Bach,  Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, L. van Beethoven, F. Mendelssohn, and Padre G.B. Martini.

Conductor Karstens thanked the No. Hero Methodist Church for their generous hospitality in allowing use of the facility for rehearsals and a place to hold the concert.

Bluegrass Gospel Project Performs to Sell Out Crowd

The Bluegrass Gospel Project recently performed for an enthusiastic crowd at the Grand Isle Lake House.  The concert, to benefit the Island Arts Scholarship Fund, featured songs from the lyrical bluegrass tradition while paying homage to the flowing and inspirational message of gospel lyrics.  The six member group sang classic and original tunes that highlighted their textured vocal harmonies and instrumental virtuosity.  Their rendition of Bill Withers "Lean On Me" was a real crowd pleaser.