By Fernando Rodriguez
Pianists Anita White and Marjie Foster sauntered on to the stage of the Glenville State University Fine Arts Center Auditorium, like two butterflies elegantly scouting a garden for flowers. The very talented Mother and Daughter duo bow for the audience and sit at the pianos waiting on the stage; Marjie plays a nine-foot Concert Grand Piano, Anita at a (what looks like to me) a medium grand piano and proceed to delight the audience with a dazzling harmonious list of creative arrangements of traditional Christmas compositions.
The list included arrangements of the pieces “Joy to the World,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful with Sheep May Safely Graze,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen with Dance of Sugar Plum Fairy,” “Go, Tell It On The Mountain with Troika Spiritual,” “O Holy Night With Gesu Bambino,” and other compositions creatively arranged to add to each piece’s enjoyment by Linda McKechnie, a pianist, arranger, and recording artist. Other arrangers included Matt Riley, Clarence Kohlmann, and Leroy Anderson,
Unfortunately, the night’s bad weather and cold deterred a lot of folks from attending this unique performance. I’ve had the privilege of listening to both ladies perform, separately, and as a duo, and this was the best performance, in my opinion, that I have ever experienced. The music performed by Anita and Marjie was totally hypnotizing. Their hands moved with speed and confidence over the keys and produced rich and powerful complementary musically flawless sounds.
Anita, who has been working with GSC since 1995, earned her bachelor’s degree from the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. She has many years of experience as a piano recitalist, organ recitalist, and a teacher of music theory, voice, piano, organ, and related subjects. White has taught, directed, and been accompanist at numerous churches and public schools, as well as been involved in the planning and performing of many community and church cantatas and oratorios.
Marjie Foster began her musical interests when she banged on her mother’s piano at age five and now shares her talents with students at the Marjie’s School of Music, located at 610 Elk St., Gassaway. Marjie offers musical instruction in voice, piano, guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, and more. For information about classes, to sponsor a student, or to donate to the Marjie’s School of Music Scholarship, contact Miss Marjie at 304-364-8500, or email marjiesmusic [email protected] Marjie is also available to perform piano music at Weddings, Banquets, Parties, and many other affairs. Visit the Marjie’s School of Music Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Marjies-School-Of-Music-271520909892494
Marjie will be performing Christmas music on an 1840 Vintage Piano at the Glenwood Estate from 10 am to 2 pm. Glenwood Estate is located at 800 Orchard Street, Charleston. Marjie will also perform Christmas Music at the Gassaway United Methodist Church on December 17, at 7 pm.
Anita joins Marjie for their four-hands-one-piano concert at the Gassaway Baptist Church on December 14, 2022, at 7 pm. GBC is located at 56 Beall Dr, Gassaway.
