Certainly another highlight of this last Christmas was the multi-talented Stark family with its rendition of Katherine K. Davis’ popular “Carol of the Drum,” also known as “Little Drummer Boy.” They performed this piece as the Call to Worship at the 5 pm Christmas Eve service and the star, of course, was the Starks’ drum playing son. Written in 1941, “the singer relates how, as a poor young boy, he was summoned by the Magi to the nativity where, without a gift for the infant Jesus, he played his drum with the Virgin Mary’s approval, remembering ‘I played my best for Him’ and ‘He smiled at me’ (Wikipedia). Supposedly the song is based on a Czech carol, although its original source has never been found. One of the most famous recordings was by the Trapp Family Singers.

I asked Darel and Georgine after the service how it was that a violinist (Darel) and singer (Georgine) produced a child who was so interested in percussion, and Georgine said that from an early age, they noticed he was always “banging on things.” Their son is the youngest student of Steve Dinion (who played timpani at the late night Christmas service) and has only been studying for a couple of months. For a child his age, I think his steadiness of rhythm is absolutely remarkable.

Their daughter is already a very experienced singer at her young age.

Enjoy!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vO_UHDs4BE&w=420&h=315]