Perrysburg residents Aaron and Michelle Keaster are the featured performers for the next Discovers Music Series concert of the 2024-25 season. For the very first time, the series is presenting a program for the young and “young at heart.”
This celebration of music and literature, entitled “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.
For the Sunday, March 30 event, the recital space will open at 2:30 p.m., with the concert beginning at 3 p.m., at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 871 East Boundary, Perrysburg.
The concert is expected to run approximately 45 minutes. Children in attendance will be encouraged to participate as they wish. 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. Kingston of Perrysburg is providing treats for the post-concert reception.
There is no reserved seating for this free admission concert.
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” also are on the program. Mr. Keaster will perform on several instruments including double bass and guitar, while Mrs. Keaster, a professional flutist, will contribute on many songs.
The centerpiece of the program is his 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 mentioned 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 March 30 concert, the Keasters will perform the songs live.
Mr. Keaster 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.
Mrs. Keaster has an equally long and successful career as a performer and music educator. She has held the position of music teacher, band and choir director at Monclova Christian Academy since 2009.
The book series features colorful illustrations created by Rick Mumford and Julian Thomas. Mumford is a lifelong friend of Mr. Keaster while Thomas contributes his work long-distance from Romania.
This marks the second season that Discovers has been a part of the new Timothy’s Perrysburg Foundation, which supports three initiatives: Discovers Music Series; the Clothesline, a free clothing opportunity; and the new Tim’s Kitchen, which supports food insecurity by repurposing rescued food.
Discovers is a series dedicated to bringing music programs to audiences from throughout northwest Ohio. Donations are appreciated and patron information is available at the concert.
All programs are free and open to the public, scheduled on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m.
St. Timothy’s is accessible and offers ample parking.
Information on upcoming events in the series is available at timothysperrysburg.org.
