Dave and Chrissy’s Contemporary Christmas Concert! Dec 2nd 2008

The music staff of Community United Methodist Church and over 100 guests kicked off the Christmas Season on December 2nd, with a contemporary Christmas Concert in the sanctuary!

Our pals guitarist Kevin Leary, drummer Pete Adams, and percussionists Alfonso Guarino and Greg Pehrson joined Dave and I to deliver jubilant and rousing renditions of popular Christmas hymns.  Our arrangements drew on all of our individual strengths and talents, tapping into pop, rock, jazz, latin and world music styles for inspiration!

The church is used to seeing Dave behind the organ and piano, and myself either leading the choir or singing. We took this opportunity to step out and perform on our second instruments! Dave performed mostly on guitar, and I handled the bass guitar and the vocals. Dave and I both come from a background of pop and jazz styles. Kevin, Pete and Alfonso have all enjoyed success in hard rock bands, and Greg is well versed in latin music. It was so much fun for us to bring these exciting styles to our church to praise God and commemorate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ this Christmas season!

The concert was a tremendous success and we are so pleased that everyone had such a great time! The audience was clapping and singing along, and a few inspired folks even got up to dance in the back of the church! We’d like to especially thank our friends Andrew Martin who manned the soundboard, and Art Strafuss for videotaping. Special thanks are owed to the ushers, and everyone involved who volunteered their time to help with printing flyers and programs, and decorating the sanctuary. And we wish to express our sincerest gratitude to everyone who participated in the offering to support our church!

Happy Holidays and Big Hugs!
Chrissy

Check Out Video Clips Online!
Go To: www.cumcwayland.org and click on “Video” on the left sidebar

See The Full Concert On TV!
The concert is currently running on public access television in the towns of Wayland and Billerica!!
Check back soon, we’ll post the programming schedule 

Meet The Musicians!
Chrissy Almeida    Vocals & Bass Guitar
Dave Shrewsbury    Guitar & Keyboards
Kevin Leary        Guitar
Pete Adams        Drums
Alfonso Guarino    Percussion
Greg Pehrson        Percussion
Andrew Martin        Sound

DAVE SHREWSBURY, the organist of Community U.M.C. since 2001, is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. Having played piano since the age of 5, Dave currently produces music for radio and television ads that are heard throughout New England.  Dave released a CD of spiritual piano music in 2007, and often performs with the country group, Taylor Made in his hometown of Beckley, West Virginia.

Since 2006, CHRISSY ALMEIDA has served as the Director of the Community U.M.C. Chancel Choir and has over 12 years professional experience in liturgical and worship music. A classically trained pianist and vocalist from Waterbury, Connecticut, Chrissy graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2001. She frequently collaborates with Dave Shrewsbury and is currently recording a solo album of Christian praise and worship music.

Guitarist KEVIN LEARY is originally from Oxford, Connecticut where he professionally built and tuned NHRA Pro Import race cars. A musician for over 20 years, Kevin now combines his passion for music and his technical expertise by building custom guitar effects pedals in his spare time.

PETE ADAMS has been a professional drummer for over 20 years and has performed with numerous bands including the New Hampshire rock group, Mongrel. Pete is a veteran of the Gulf War, having served in the United States Army Infantry. He has self published a science fiction novel and is currently writing children’s stories.

ALFONSO GUARINO, a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter has toured the East Coast as the frontman and founding member of the hard rock group, Humans Being, a Pressure Point Records recording artist. An avid soccer enthusiast, Alfonso can also be found serving as goalie or referee in local soccer leagues.

GREG PEHRSON is the founder and executive director of Fuerza Laboral, a community service organization that provides assistance to immigrants.  A graduate of Brown University, Greg is a talented multi-instrumentalist and also plays the flute and trumpet.