From ST. TIMOTHY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Perrysburg residents Aaron and Michelle Keaster are the featured performers for the next Discovers Music Series concert of the 2024-25 season at St. Timothy’s, 871 East Boundary, Perrysburg. The Sunday, March 30 program begins at 3 p.m. and is expected to run approximately 45 minutes.
For the very first time, the series is presenting a program for the young and “young at heart.” This celebration of music and literature, “Who, What, When and Where: Stories Told Through Music,” features the Keasters performing a variety of original compositions and classical favorites while presenting the stories from Mr. Keaster’s published children’s books. The children in attendance will be encouraged to sit up close and participate as they wish.
Among the well-known classical pieces will be Henry Mancini’s movie themes from “The Pink Panther” (1963 film) and “The Baby Elephant Walk,”from the 1961 film, “Hatari!,” Scott Joplin’s “The Easy Winners” and Saint-Saens’ “The Elephant” from “The Carnival of the Animals” are also on the program Mr. Keaster will perform on several instruments including double bass and guitar, while Mrs. Keaster, a professional flutist, will join him on many of the songs.
The centerpiece of the program are Aaron’s many children’s books, including “Going Bananas,” “How Much What?,” “Mouses and Mooses,” “The Symphony Goes to the Zoo,” and “See Ya’ Later, Alligator.”
When asked what was his inspiration to begin writing books for children, Mr. Keaster said that, “…when my daughter Kaelee was very young she inspired me to write a couple of songs. I decided when we were all locked up in our houses (during Covid) that it was a good opportunity to try to put some ideas together.”
Each of the books is published with a QR code; when downloaded to a device, the original songs composed specifically for each story are then available. For this concert, the Keasters will perform the songs live.
Aaron Keater is well-known throughout northwest Ohio as a bassist in the Toledo Symphony and for teaching many string instrument students. In addition, he has been an adjunct cello and bass teacher for the Perrysburg Schools’ orchestra program.
Michelle Keaster has held the positionof music teacher, band and choir director at Monclova Christian Academy since 2009.
The book series features beautiful, colorful illustrations created by Rick Mumford and Julian Thomas. Mr. Mumford is a life-long friend of Mr. Keaster while Mr. Thomas contributes his work long-distance from Romania.
Every child attending with a caregiver will receive one free book from among Mr. Keaster’s titles. The books are provided as a gift to the community from the Timothy’s Perrysburg Foundation. Additionally, Kingston of Perrysburg is providing treats for the post-concert reception.
