Wooster Music Club blends holiday music with dramatic reading of ‘A Christmas Carol’

On Dec. 3 Wooster Music Club presented a dramatic reading by Richard Figge of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol.” Over 200 members and guests were welcomed into the Wooster United Methodist Church sanctuary for the program, which started with a half-hour prelude of Christmas music, performed by two ensembles.

Traditional carols were provided by a string ensemble of Jeanne Griggs (violin), Sarah Litteral (violin), Laura Tappan (guitar) and J R Rhodebeck (octave mandolin). More carols and Christmas classics were provided by a woodwind ensemble consisting of Kathy Helmuth (flute), Annie Gerig (oboe), Marty Starkey (clarinet), Ned Brooks (French horn) and Jay Klemme (bassoon).

Kathy Helmuth, co-president of WMC, welcomed guests and Figge. Day Logan then introduced Figge as the evening's orator.

Figge is the Gertrude Gingrich Professor Emeritus at The College of Wooster, where he taught in the department of German studies for 30 years. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television. He has acted in numerous productions throughout the U.S. and Europe and in three one-man shows: "Clarence Darrow," "Barrymore's Ghost" and "Give 'Em Hell, Harry!" He is an actor, voiceover artist, film critic and author and currently hosts his own weekly podcast, "For Reading Out Loud," featuring narrated short stories.

Following the reading of "A Christmas Carol," guests were invited down to greet Figge and for a reception of cookies and punch. The reception was made possible through donations received in memory of Ferne Haghiri, a longtime member of the Wooster Music Club and an accomplished musician.

Wooster Music Club meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. from September through May, except for January and February. Meetings are usually held in Wesley Hall of Wooster United Methodist Church, and guests are welcome to attend.