Concert pianist and Hope resident Laurie Trayer is spreading Christmas cheer, through music, this holidays season.
Christmas Bells is the sixth album Trayer has recorded, after her fifth album Beyond the Rain was named the fifth best gospel instrumental album of 2011 in Canada by the Gospel Music Association. Her Christmas album was recorded at Trayer’s home on her White Grand piano.
“I’ve had numerous requests to do a Christmas CD. So I had my producer come to my home and he did it on my own piano at my house, which was really nice because you fall in love with your own instruments, right. It’s never the same when you’re on someone else’s,” Trayer said.
The songs then went back to her producer, where instruments that complement her music – guitar, violin, mandolin – were added in.
“I play by ear, I don’t use any books. I just hear a song and I can play it,” Trayer said. “I’m not forced to play something that’s in front of me, I’m just all over the piano.” The self-taught pianist began learning to play at age 5.
Trayer describes herself as very artsy – in addition to piano she plays the accordion and the organ, as well as painting, calligraphy and landscape and interior design.
Trayer is a familiar face at local musical events. She performs at the annual Hope Community Christmas Festival, first held at the Hope Secondary gym and lately at the Grace Baptist Church.
This year, of course, is a different one for her as concerts have been shelved. Yet Trayer is looking ahead to the new year, with a concert scheduled for March in Salmon Arm.
To purchase the Christmas Bells CD, $15 this week, contact Trayer at 604-869-1617. She can meet people in town who would like an album, and they can also be mailed out.
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