Cathy and George Shields enjoy their very own after dinner music. When a son disappears to the basement after a meal, they may hear a riff on the piano, followed by an original response from the guitar and then the percussion joins in. Cathy says, "There's nothing like a good jazz trio" and to make it better, the music is being created in their home by sons Graeme, Jonathon and Ian. Though the program is billed as Jonathon Shields "A Little Bit of Everything," all three will share their music Tuesday, June 23 at noon at the Grand Rapids' Alliance Church on Airport Road.
Several years ago we watched the Shields' trio delight in their cup number as well as several other wonderful pieces. Since then, Graeme has graduated from the University of MN Duluth with a degree in music theory and composition. Graeme is working as a church organist in Cambridge Lutheran Church and plans to pursue his masters' degree at the University of Western Michigan in the fall.
Brother Jonathon fell in love with the guitar in Grade 5 while living in New Brunswick. Jonathon has just completed his first year at the University of St. Thomas where he is majoring in Guitar Performance. In Jonathon's hands, the guitar will transport you to Spain, send you traipsing along the beach where you'll think you're hearing a harp, or bring you back home with some Duke Ellington. He'll even perform Bach's classic "Bouree" before his instrument sings of "Love Some More.'' And just in case you're interested in learning guitar yourself, Jonathon is offering lessons this summer.
Ian, a senior at Grand Rapids High this fall, takes classes at ICC when he's not playing trumpet in the Marching Band, the Jazz band or the Symphonic Band. He plays drums when his brothers force him, but you'll not see any coercion this Tuesday--just three wonderful young men serving up the music they write, perform and play with. And pianist mother Cathy's megawatt smile will light the way.
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