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Siberian Solstice in the news!
The Crescent-News · Friday, December 12, 2008
Siberian Solstice offers dynamic community gift
Defiance Christian Church hosts concert
By JACK PALMER
palmer@crescent-news.com
__A varied mix of talented area musicians have put together a dynamic and unique gift for the Cnristmas season.
__The popular group "Siberian Solstice" presents "The Angel's Gift," an uplifting Christmas story with the music of nationally renowned Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) this Sunday at 7 p.m. in Defiance Christian Church, 955 Standley Road.
__There is no admission, but a freewill offering will be taken.
__"Our music and a good deal of the narration reflect what TSO does, with our own thoughts and emotions added in," said Dave Coonrod, the group's bass guitarist.
__"We play traditional Christmas music and other classical pieces with electronic keyboards, drums, and guitars. This concert will be enjoyed by all age groups."
__Besides Coonrod, other group members are Dr. Dave Deal and Marie Moore, keyboards; Dr. Jeff Montgomery and Kevin Peters, guitar; Tom Sprague, vocals and narrator; and Steve Parker, percussion. Les Brooke serves as sound and visual technician.
__"We had them here two years ago and they were very well received, so we thought we would have them back," said Alicia Mengerink, secretary at Defiance Christian Church. "Tom Sprague was one of my teachers in high school and I really enjoyed seeing him perform."
__Siberian Solstice has performed at numerous churches in northwest Ohio as well as other community events. "The Angel's Gift," its 75-minute Christmas program, has received rave reviews across the area.
__"We really appreciate all the support and encouragement we have received," said Coonrod. "We love playing this music."
__A veteran of the northwest Ohio music scene, Coonrod enjoys playing music, recording, writing, and teaching guitar and bass guitar. He has played in bands such as Gibraltar, Prism, Eazy, On The Brink and numerous others. He is a graduate of Defiance College, where he currently teaches. He also teaches at Tri-State music in Bryan, is a member of a contemporary Christian band and sings in the St. Paul Lutheran choir.
__Deal, a practicing local psychologist by day, uses his keyboard rack to emulate the orchestra and the synthesizer leads of TSO. Prior to Siberian Solstice, he played in a Pink Floyd tribute band called "One Of These Daze" and a contemporary praise and worship band at Grace Episcopal Church.
__Many know Sprague as a rock-singing crazy elf in several popular local nightclub bands, or as the painter of the large murals in several buildings in the Defiance community. Others know him from his role as a graphic designer. "Sprager," as he is affectionately known by his friends, is a retired teacher from Ayersville and Defiance schools. He currently owns and operates a small design and advertising firm called "Prism Enterprises."
__Parker, a native of Texas, comes from a family of musicians. He learned the drumming trade from his father and his older brother plays guitar for the David Crowder Band. He is currently employed at Bryan Truck Line as West Coast fleet manager.
__Moore's musical career started with teaching studio piano lessons and playing church music. She teaches elementary music and beginning band at Wayne Trace Payne Elementary School, currently in her 23rd year. She is also a craft artist and has started to show her painted quilts locally and has plans for polymer clay jewelry.
__Montgomery, who earned his doctorate from Emerson Institute of Theology in California, has an extensive background in counseling psychology and English literature. For the past 25 years, he
has been teaching and playing music, studying comparative religion, practicing and teaching yoga, and investigating the concepts of the great philosophical masters of today and antiquity.
__Peters, a Bryan native, has been studying guitar for 20 years with the last nine years focused almost exclusively to the two-handed technique. His other hobbies include dabbling in 3D modeling/anima-
tion and photography.
__The group's show is ideal for group Christmas events such as corporate parties and business promotional events.
__"We also schedule shows for church family entertainment," said Coonrod. "We are able to schedule throughout the year if desired."
__For more information about the group, visit www.siberiansolstice.com.
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