Steve Schenkel and Ashley Mason "A Midnight Clear" CD Release Concert at Webster University

Steve Schenkel and Ashley Mason present a concert of holiday favorites at Webster University to celebrate the release of their new CD, “A Midnight Clear.” The concert features the entire CD repertoire and will be performed by Steve Schenkel, guitar; Ashley Mason, vocals; Dan Rubright, guitar; Kim Portnoy, piano and Ric Vice, bass. Songs include “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Mary Did You Know?” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Notes on the concert & CD from Steve Schenkel:

“We’re delighted to bring you these new arrangements of holiday favorites. The titles will be familiar, but we’ll to show you new facets on these old gems;  "The First Noel" becomes a samba, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sings" slips into 5/4 time, "Go Tell It On the Mountain" is recast as a foot-stomping blues piece, and "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming" shares part of its harmonic framework with John Coltrane's "Giant Steps." Guitar fans will love the instrumental textures on the CD, as some of the arrangements have as many as five guitars playing at once. Fans of lovely, understated singing will be pleased to discover the wonderful gifts of vocalist Ashley Mason."

When:     

Monday, December 15, 2008, 7 p.m.

Where:            

Winifred Moore Auditorium, 470 E. Lockwood Ave.

Cost:                      

$5 at the door.

More Info:          

Call 968-7032, or the Fine Arts Hotline at 968-7128.

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Steve Schenkel has he been a full-time faculty member of Webster University since 1980. A native of St. Louis, Steve Schenkel has been the "first call" guitarist in St. Louis for over 20 years. He performs regularly with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, The Fox Theater Orchestra, the Muny Orchestra and the Repertory Theater of St. Louis. Schenkel is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He received a PhD from Washington University in 1980 and a MA in Religion from Webster University. Dr. Schenkel founded the Jazz Studies program and the Jazz Concert Series at Webster University, where he has taught music, media and religion. His music is heard nationally on the PBS program "Breaking Bread," as well as by millions of visitors each year in the multimedia show under the Gateway Arch. He has scored many PBS programs, including "KATY: Stories From the Trail," "Homefront," and "American Tower." Schenkel also wrote the theme music for the programs "In the Loop" and "StL Biz," as well as the logo music for KETC. He orchestrated the Ken Hensley CD, "Running Wild" and the children's musical "A Modern Day Prodigal Son." He appears on the CD "1-2-3" with pianist Dave Venn, as well as collaborations with Dan Rubright, "The Lone Wild Bird," "What Wondrous Love" and "Whole New Light."

Ashley Mason is a 2005 graduate of Webster's Department of Music. She has performed in both nightclubs and churches throughout the Midwest.