'Peace on Earth' holiday concert returns to Tarentum church

Local musicians will bring some holiday cheer to Tarentum this month by putting on a concert as part of a series that is returning after shuttering in 2020.

The “Peace on Earth” concert featuring vocalist Daphne Alderson and the St. Michael Chamber Band will take place Dec. 18 at Central Presbyterian Church.

The series began eight years ago but was put on hold because of the covid-19 pandemic.

Dave Rankin, a church member who helps to facilitate events, said the free concert will help bring the community together during a season that can be rough for some.

“This initiative brings the music to the local community,” Rankin said. “That’s why we’re doing it. That’s what we’ve adopted as part of the church’s mission: To bring artists to the community so it helps build the community.”

Band members include John Marcinizyn on the guitar, Vladimir Mollov on accordion and Elisa Kohanski on cello.

As a nonprofit that relies on donations, the church does not charge for the concert, Rankin said. The series, on average, brings in about 50 attendees, and those feeling the Christmas spirit are welcome to make good-will donations.

The church works alongside people such as Warren Davidson, a retired Slippery Rock music professor and accomplished musician, to bring musicians to the Greater Pittsburgh region.

Together, with Davidson’s connections and the church to help schedule concerts, they launched the Academic Arts initiative.

“In order to hear a program like this, you’d have to go into the city,” Rankin said. “It’s bringing the music to the community instead of people having to go to Heinz Hall or the Carnegie Music Hall.”

Although Rankin couldn’t speak to the musical style of the St. Michael Chamber Band, he called Alderson’s style of cabaret “earthy, even folkish,” he said.

The ongoing concert series doesn’t discriminate against any genre and in the past has held events such as a tango program.

The church is planning two string events next year.

They will take place at 4 p.m. Feb. 19 and April 30, both Sundays, in the church. The February program, “Deep Roots,” will feature a string quartet. April’s “Sunday Serenade” will showcase a string trio.