
Rhys’s third annual piano recital, Newark, Delaware.
University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Virginia
The Fredericksburg Singers is a college/community group I’ve been thrilled to be a part of. In this concert, before the intermission, the chamber choir and the UMW chorus each performed some of their own pieces. After the intermission, at recording minute 33, the Fred Singers were added to those two groups to perform first the Aaron Copeland song Stamp your Foot, then the Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzen, then the finale from Gilbert and Sullivan’s Gondoliers. Our director is Dr Chris Ryder, and our accompanists (piano for four hands) were Dr Melissa Wells and Dr Robert Wells.
Performed December 7th, 2025, 3pm and 7pm, at Fredericksburg Baptist Church
At Lessons and Carols, St Paul’s Episcopal, Haymarket, Virginia

The 53rd(?) annual performance by Fredericksburg Community Chorus, directed by Chris Ryder (photographed above in dress rehearsal). The concerts were 3pm and 7pm, with 13-piece paid orchestra with harpsichord and organ, and about 80 singers including 12 soloists. The choruses were And the Glory, Purify, Oh Thou that Tellest, Unto Us, Glory to God, Surely, Stripes, Sheep, and Hallelujah.
Chris Ryder directs all three University of Mary Washington choirs combining for the spring concert. This was my second time singing with the college/community group, Fredericksburg Singers. I was particularly pleased that it included Schubert’s Mass in G. Photo clipped from the concert video. About 33:50 is the start of the first piece I’m in, but the Mass in G starts at about 43:05.


Somehow our friend Jane managed to pick me out from a choir of 60 and orchestra of 15 during our Messiah concert December 3rd, Fredericksburg. Even Nick thought that looked like him on violin, but no, that’s a stand-in. Notice the trumpeter, biding his time, until the trumpet shall sound.

Same piece, same place, opposite direction, the night before the concert.

Marty checks the dates of James Buchanan Duke, 1856-1925, before we enter the chapel to hear a wonderful performance of Handel’s Messiah. Thanks to Jan, who’s been in the choir many years, for our great seats right up at the front.