Bringing together community and music

A Ladies Holiday Tea and Gala was held Dec. 9 at the home of Marshall Jennings, O’Neill Ranch Estates, in Hays County.

The tea included exotic teas from England and India, holiday cookies, tea sandwiches and sparkling wine. It was served by hostesses Maria Padron, Lisa Rae Crowe, Sue Elliott and Jane Hallowell. The gala included a Salon Concert by students and faculty from the music program at Texas State University in San Marcos.

Katie Bulen, Contralto, a senior in Music Education was joined by Nathalie Calvo, Mezzo Soprano — also a senior in Music Education — and Ezra Bartz, PhD, an eminent soloist, teacher and collaborative pianist at Texas State. Bartz accompanied Bulen and Calvo in selections from the Tales of Hoffmann by Offenbach as well as selections from Berlioz and Mercadante. The singers also performed art songs and Christmas carols. Bartz played Impromptu No. 3, Op. 90 by Franz Schubert.

The event was attended by over 30 members from throughout the local community.