December 14, 2015 - Are you ready for Christmas music? Come to hear three Celtic harps and five cellos played by ensembles from Project String Power, Inc. to enjoy the beginning of the Christmas Season. Delta Gamma invites you to First Baptist Church of Tenaha at 6 p.m., Monday, December 14 to enjoy the program, sample delicious refreshments and to visit with the musicians, guests and Delta Gamma members.
East Texas Harp Ensemble performers are Karen McGarrett, Emily Taylor and Joyce Hughes. McGarrett, church secretary at Calvary Baptist Church in Nacogdoches, is formerly of Houston. She has played harp for more than 20 years and teaches harp in her studio in Nacogdoches and in Carthage for Project String Power, Inc. She plays for weddings, festivals, church and civic events, some of which are listed on McGarrettHarpStudio.com.
Emily Taylor of Long Branch worked many years as a nurse and has been a church musician from childhood to the present. Joyce Hughes has also been a church musician and music teacher since adolescence. Six fondly remembered years of her music teaching were in Tenaha Schools. Both Taylor and Hughes play harp in church, schools, weddings, civic clubs and in Project String Power’s Super Group String Orchestra.
Fourte’ Cello Ensemble performers are Karen Trammell, Charlene McMillen, Kathryn White, Carole Deptula and Magdalene Yoerger. Trammell is church secretary at First Baptist, Henderson. She began cello in junior high orchestra and loved the beautiful, low sounds of the instrument. After years without a teacher, she found one who directed her to Project String Power and now has a place to play with other orchestra members. She considers cello a rewarding and challenging part of her life.
Charlene McMillen, an electrical engineer, was the first cello student to join Project String Power. She has played with the string orchestra and has enjoyed the music, travel and friendships with the group for the last ten years. Kathryn White, an accomplished quilter and gardener, also has enjoyed the benefits of travel and music making in her years as a student of Project String Power. Both of them live near Carthage.
Carole Deptula of Nacogdoches is also a viola player. She has arranged most of the carols that Fourte’ will play for Kappa Gamma. As a former owner of Encore Music Store in Nacogdoches, she has had extensive association with the field of music and has loved it. Magdalene Yoerger is a student at Panola Early College High School and is the most recent ensemble member. She enjoys playing in Super Group Orchestra and Fourte’ Ensemble.
All the cellists are taught by Evgeni Raychev, cello professor at Stephen F. Austin State University and cello teacher for Project String Power, Inc. of Carthage. They are members of the Cello Club of S.F.A.S.U. and Super Group String Orchestra of Project String Power, Inc. of Carthage. For more information about harp, cello, violin, viola, upright bass, guitar, and banjo lessons consult www.projectstringpower.org and Project String Power Face Book page.
