2023 Advent Concerts

December 7: Selkie, is a trio of dynamic Celtic musicians who play traditional music and original music with a trademark intensity
and drive. The sounds of flute, fiddle, bouzouki, banjo, guitar, accordion, and harp are woven into Selkie’s music, along with the vocal
harmonies they use for their songs.

December 14: Gary and Martha Matthews, their concerts are a musical and spiritual journey with classical, jazz, and arrangements
of the great well-known hymns that you love. What is unique about their concerts is how this well-known music is specifically
arranged for the gifts Gary and Martha bring. Gary plays piano and trumpets and sings, while Martha plays a variety of flutes, penny
whistles (Celtic Irish sound), piano, and handbells that fit on a “Handbell Tree!” As an ordained pastor Gary has a heart for
shepherding God’s people and does that through his music and worship leading. He served three churches as their Worship Pastor.
Martha holds a Masters in Flute Performance and is a sought-after Handbell Clinician. She is the Director of the Kalamazoo Ringers,
the oldest continual community Handbell Ensemble in the United States. She also teaches flute at Cornerstone University in Grand
Rapids, MI. Gary and Martha’s concerts include diverse music using the piano and organ, trumpet, voices, flute, and handbells.

December 21: Aris Chaplin, solo jazz piano Aris is an international award-winning jazz pianist and keyboardist at Western Michigan
University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He has performed at several musical events both locally and abroad. He has performed and
played alongside world-class jazz musicians, such as Chris Potter, säje, Christian McBride, Johnaye Kendrick, Jesus Molina, the Emmet
Cohen Trio, and the Paul Keller Orchestra. Aris is based in Kalamazoo, MI and travels around Michigan to perform in different
venues. He has performed at venues such as Hill Auditorium, Blue LLama Jazz Club, and the North American International Auto Show
COBO Center in Detroit.