Sing Nowell

Despite the death of Tony Barrand and the aging of John Roberts, two who constituted the core of Nowell Sing We Clear, it continues with a new name and a greatly expanded cast. Sing Nowell now includes not only old-timers Fred Breunig and Andy Davis, but also a quartet of "young people," called Windbourne: Lauren (Fred Breunig's daughter), Jeremy, Lynn and Will; and Arthur Davis (Andy's son, his wife, Emma, Guillaume Sparrow-Pepin (Lisa Sparrow's son), and a cellist whose name I forget. Also Keith Murphy. That's eleven instead of four. Their concert was last Tuesday at the Latchis Theater, and they played to a packed house. The repertoire is essentially the same: old English songs and carols relating to the birth of Christ, and a broader group of seasonal songs. Windbourne brings a bit more international flavor - e.g., an Occitan carol. A fantastic concert full of energy. Ellen, Katie, Brendon, Nancy Tierra and I were a cluster of avid fans down front.