LCPC to Host ‘Mystic Trumpeter’ Concert Jan. 29

The La Cañada Presbyterian Church Orchestra will present a free concert of the David Ott music and story of “Andrew and the Mystic Trumpeter” on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m.
Written as a narrative with animal and human characters much in the same vein as Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” the story of “Andrew and the Mystic Trumpeter” promotes themes of perseverance and practice in trying to accomplish your goals, told through both narration and through music.
This educational composition appeals to children and adults of all ages ― from 3 to 103.
Attendees will learn about the importance of diligence, practice, making friends and working together as they are tantalized by the story of Andrew undertaking a journey to find “the Mystic Trumpeter,” along with his friends Raymond, the rabbit; Tarry, the tortoise; Bill, the duck; and Ricky, the raccoon.
Together, they travel through the Prairie of Persistence and the Desert of Desire. Along the way they are tempted to take shortcuts, find themselves alone and lost in a torrential rainstorm that becomes a flood, and ultimately, they overcome their challenges.
Accompanying the music and story will be a multimedia presentation that paints the picture of Andrew, his friends and their journey.
The special guest narrator will be Leslie Spencer, singer, songwriter, writer, teacher, designer and actor. Her long list of credits include the off-Broadway production of “the Marvelous Wonderettes,” a five-year stint as the only female member of Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses, and 14 years as one of the two Vixens in the Brian Setzer Orchestra, with whom she has toured the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan, as well as on multiple albums and shows at the Hollywood Bowl. She has performed to national audiences on the Today Show, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the Tonight Show, Rachael Ray, Dancing with the Stars and FOX’s NFL Sunday.
The concert will be preceded by a pre-concert lecture, presented by LCPC’s Director of Music and Worship Arts, Jack Lantz, who will speak about the significance of the trumpet in the Bible, poet Walt Whitman and his poem “the Mystic Trumpeter,” and the lessons of this short work.
Following the concert will be an opportunity for children to meet the orchestra and see the instruments close up.
The concert is free. The La Cañada Presbyterian Church is located at 626 Foothill Blvd.
For further information, call the church office at (818) 790-6708 or visit lacanadapc.org. To livestream the concert, visit live.lacanadapc.org.