In Case You Missed It: "It's Instrumental II"
Last year, Musick's Company embarked on an exciting new venture -- the "It's Instrumental" concert series, highlighting the incredibly talented instrumentalists that bring our early music to life. On September 13, 2026, we returned with the second installment at Crestwood Christian Church, giving both devoted fans and new faces an afternoon of musical delights. Our audience grew noticeably from last year -- thanks to everyone who attended! If you missed the concert, keep reading for a review of everything you missed!
Just like last year, "It's Instrumental II" featured an eclectic program that reflected the interests of the performers. In addition to classic favorites like Morley, Dowland and Telemann, instrumental music director Barbara Miller and her colleagues included a modern composition by Shelbyville's own Jannell Canerday. Framed by Crestwood Christian Church's beautiful sanctuary, Musick's Company demonstrated once again why they've been drawing crowds since 1977, and why we're still celebrating early music almost 50 years later.
Our beloved organist, pianist and many other "ists" Jane Johnson demonstrated her renowned instrumental flexibility to great effect all throughout this concert. Though she didn't break her record of five instruments in a single concert, Johnson performed on the organ, harpsichord, portative organ and harp . Her athletic fingering in Georg Philipp Telemann's "Trio Sonara in A Minor" particularly impressed, especially when laced into the harmonies supported by Bonnie Griffoen on cello, Barbara Miller on recorder, and Zoe Miller on violin. Beside her, husband Bill accompanied her on a beautiful rendition of "Audlyn River", a contemporary Irish piece by Paul Cringle, and "An Gaoth Aneas", an anonymous traditional tune.
As usual, instrumental director Barbara Miller dazzled our audience with her masterful recorder performances on many of the pieces presented at "It's Instrumental II". In particular, her collaboration with lutenist John Hedger and guest soloist Vic Sullivan on "When Daphne From Fair Phoebus Did Fly" brought much delight, especially considering the hard work done by Hedger to create this special arrangement. Theme and variation play a major role in the composition of early music, and these three performers did a splendid job of demonstrating the ways rhythm and harmony can dance around even a simple melody.
The final piece on the program, "Ashbank Waltz", highlighted the compositional talents of Jannell Canerday, a Kentucky musician, artist and industrial designer with a talent for the fiddle. You may have seen her as a part of Na Skylark, a Central-Kentucky-based trio that shares the rich beauty of ancient traditional Celtic music through voice, Irish instruments, "and a little Appalachian mountain dulcimer for good measure". Every member of the company came together on this beautiful Celtic waltz, their instruments deftly layering lines of warm harmony -- a spectacular showstopper.
If you regret missing this concert, fear not! Many more opportunities to see Musick's Company perform await on the horizon. Chief among them is our annual Christmas concert, "A Handeful of Christmas Delights: Bring Forth Thy Finest Voice!" on Tuesday, December 1, 2026 at 7:30 pm, in the sanctuary of Crestwood Christian Church. With both intricate historical harmonies and interactive carols, it'll be an opener to the holiday season that you're not going to miss!
As a non-profit in a hostile economy, every dollar we receive in donations or admissions goes directly to our mission: bringing early music to the Bluegrass. If you feel moved to support Musick's Company and CFOM, please visit our donation information page or scan the QR code below.
Musick's Company and The Center for Old Music in the New World thank each and every one of you for your continued support! Without it, there's no way we could put on our concerts and shows. We hope to see you at our next performance!
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