Peters Township seniors, students celebrate season with music
Saxophone players Ethan Cheek, left, and Jason Vanderhoff perform during the holiday luncheon for senior citizens at the Peters Township Community Recreation Center.
Erma Grego enjoys the luncheon with granddaughter Jen Olinger.
Aiden Huber plays bass guitar and sings during a performance by Diverse Effect.
Bud Recktenwald dressed for the occasion.
Riley Kelly entertains with her ukulele.
A luncheon guest listens attentively to the music.
Kate Hardy performs as part of the saxophone quartet.
C.J. Rhem shows his skills on trumpet.
Dan Witkowski plays guitar with Diverse Effect.
Marie Gallagher sings as she plays keyboards.
Garrison Scoulos, left, and Ethan Cheek perform with Diverse Effect.
Grant Ogburn, left, and Dan Witkowski perform with Diverse Effect.
Aiden Huber performs with Diverse Effect.
Joe DeWitt keeps the beat.
Margie Hill enjoys the music.
Marie Gallagher sings as she plays keyboards.
Mila Shadel performs on guitar.
Nicole Esselstyn performs as part of the saxophone quartet.
Riley Kelly, left, and Marie Gallagher perform a duet.
Music was the gift that kept on giving Wednesday at the annual holiday luncheon for senior citizens at the Peters Township Community Recreation Center.
High school band director Milt Barney brought a select group of talented students to provide entertainment, from holiday favorites to tunes by artists that participants may not have known about previously, such as singer-songwriter Jason Mraz and the rock group Kings of Leon.
After those in attendance enjoyed a hearty meal, the musicians started playing, with a quartet of saxophone players first on the bill: Nicole Esselstyn on soprano, Kate Hardy on alto, Jason Vanderhoff on tenor and Ethan Cheek on baritone.
The four performed “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman,” “The First Noel” and other traditional offerings, impressing the audience after only two practices together beforehand, according to Barney.
Next, Mila Shadel played John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s “Yesterday” on solo guitar before joining others to form a jazz combo, with Ethan returning on baritone sax, C.J. Rhem on trumpet and Joe DeWitt on drums.
Marie Gallagher sang as she accompanied herself on keyboard, and then she paired with Riley Kelly on ukulele.
Calling themselves Diverse Effect, a quintet of musicians played some rock ‘n’ roll: Aiden Huber on bass and vocals, Dan Witkowski on guitar, Grant Ogburn on drums, Garrison Scoulos on trumpet and, once more, Ethan playing the baritone sax. He and the other saxophone players finished the show with a couple of more selections.
Following the music, participants exchanged gifts and played a round of Christmas trivia, featuring such tidbits as where eggnog originated and what Frosty the Snowman’s final words were.
Luncheons for senior citizens are held from noon to 2 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the recreation center. On Jan. 11 will be a program by the Peters Township Police Department on how to protect against scams.
For more information, call 724-942-5000.