Next Show: Swingin' Holiday at the GPAC!

Swingin' Holiday Show Program

The Program: Set 1...

The Program: Set 2

Our Director: David Richards

MC David McGowan

Vocalist Karen Pahl

Vocalist Meredith Calton

The Musicians

The Program: Set 1...

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas – arr. Jack Siegal

White Christmas – arr. Roger Holmes, feat. Meredith Calton

Christmas Time Is Here – arr. David Pugh

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree – arr. Jesper Riis, feat. Karen Pahl

We Wish You a Merry Christmas – arr. Bryan Kidd

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – arr. Dave Wolpe, feat. Meredith Calton

Hanukah Swings – arr. Bill Holcombe

Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me – arr. Michael Howard, feat. Karen Pahl

The Christmas Song – arr. Paul Jennings

Hark the Herald Angels Sing – arr. Gordon Goodwin

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – arr. Arjen De Groot

The Program: Set 2

Overture - The Nutcracker Suite – arr. Billy Strayhorn

All I Want for Christmas is You – arr. Paul Murtha, feat. Karen Pahl

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow! – arr. Gordon Goodwin

This Christmas – arr. Mark Taylor, feat. Meredith Calton

Little Drummer Boy – arr. Rob Holmes

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? – arr. Jon Harpin, feat. Karen Pahl

Comfort and Joy (Traditional) – arr. Rick Hirsch

Last Christmas – arr. Jesper Riis, feat. Meredith Calton

Santa It's Cold Outside – arr. Alan Glasscock, feat. Meredith and Karen

Up A Lazy River - arr. Bob Florence

Our Director: David Richards

Starting out at the age of 14 professionally, David Richards has been a Musician, Educator, and Producer from California to New York City. Mr. Richards has worked with some of the top professional musicians in the world as a Musician, Producer and Engineer.

David has continuously performed and taught music nationally landing him in New York City where he worked with leaders in the music industry before he moved to Clayton, North Carolina where he has continued to perform, teach, and produce with professionals and students for the last several years.

Along with Directing and performing, David has created music for film and television, broadcast nationally and internationally.

David's other career was as a professional baseball player for 18 years. He feels honored to have played with the best players in the world in both music and sport!

MC David McGowan

David McGowan, (trumpet and MC) is one of the founders of the Neuse River Big Band—not a pro trumpeter, just grateful to have this wonderful group together. He currently serves on the Board. He is a former Baltimore City Police Detective, US Army aviator and member of the Wilson's Mills Town Council. He was also the Public Address Announcer for the Baltimore Orioles baseball club for 14 years.

Vocalist Karen Pahl

Karen Pahl is a Raleigh native known in the area through her involvement with the Johnston County Chorus and the Around Town Singers. She has performed in the Triangle area for over 25 years, including her seasons as the full time anthem singer for the Carolina Hurricanes. Karen has her mother and aunts to thank for her vocal talent and is excited to sing with the Neuse River Big Band!

Vocalist Meredith Calton

Meredith Calton is a proud wife and mother of two. She is a resident vocalist of NRBB and the Around Town Singers as well as a songwriter. Meredith is a current member of the First Baptist Church of Clayton Choir. She has performed with the American Music Jubilee in Selma NC, The Campbell University Choir and The Campbell University Wind Ensemble. She has studied music at Campbell University and Music Business at Middle Tennessee State University.