Kindness is a language
which the deaf can hear and the blind can read.

-- Mark Twain

Come as you are!
Suits, jeans, and
feather boas welcome.

 
 

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Larry Deming

This photo appeared in our local paper, the Danbury News-Times.

 

About Me and King Street Church

 

One beautiful afternoon in the summer of 2004, I stepped inside the welcoming doors of King Street Church. I was to play solo violin for a wedding at which the Rev. Bonnie Bardot was presiding. She was the interim pastor at the time. I felt such a warm welcome then, and I've felt it ever since -- from pastors and fellow parishioners alike.

I served as director of King Street Church's senior bell choir from autumn of 2004 until autumn of 2007. I joined the church in June 2005.

I enjoy playing violin or viola in church on occasion with Paul Malyszka at the piano. I’ll fiddle at the talent show and at the church fair, sing bass in the choir regularly, and ring bells when called for.

In 2005, during Daniel Pearl Music Days, my group “Journey to the East” raised funds in a concert at the church to benefit Gulf Coast hurricane victims through AmeriCares. On May 26, 2007, "Larry Deming & Friends & Family" presented two similar fundraising concerts in celebration of my 50th birthday.

More About Me

 

At the Sherman Playhouse, in a 2004 staging of Woody Guthrie's "American Song"

I was born May 26, 1957, at Danbury Hospital. I grew up in Danbury, attending the Mill Ridge, Beaver Brook, Broadview Junior High, and Danbury High schools. I was active in those years at First Congregational Church in downtown Danbury, along with my family -- mom, dad, one sister, and two brothers.

I drifted away from the church as I traveled to Indiana University in Bloomington, earned a B.S. in music, and indulged a wanderlust that took me to Europe, Florida, and Asia. Playing violin, I've performed with a wide variety of artists, including Chet Atkins, John Denver, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and James Taylor. I've played in the first violin section of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as in violin sections of the New Haven and Springfield symphony orchestras. I continue to do freelance work in concerts and recordings.

I also love to compose and arrange music. I have two CDs out: "Mythos" (1998) and "Journey to the East" (2005). Both are available from www.music-z.com.

In 1991 I returned to my roots in the Danbury area with my wife, Helen, who hails from Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, in the Philippines. We are proud parents of Amanda, born in 1998, and Collin (C.J.), born in 2000. Both enjoy Sunday school at King Street.

Today I teach music privately and at the Hotchkiss School, and direct the Summer Strings program at the Danbury Music Centre. To see -- and hear -- more of my musical activities, visit these two websites:

I am now happy to call King Street United Church of Christ my spiritual home -- home of challenge and epiphanies, comfort to the soul, and meeting place of some very friendly folks. I felt at home when I first walked in the door.

Playing a Zeta (an electric violin) in my back yard. If it bothers the neighbors, I can turn off the speakers and use headphones.

A Mysterious Coincidence

At Sunday worship on May 29, 2005 -- just before I joined the church -- the first two hymn numbers added up to the third: 552 + 67 = 619. I e-mailed Pastor Cindy Maddox about this. “Oh, that is excellent!" she replied. "It was not intentional, but yes -- 'Standing on the Promises' + 'O God, Our Help in Ages Past' does equal 'My Life Flows On.'"

 

Accustomed to sleeping
through sermons?
You won’t here.
Better get your rest before you come!

MEMBERS: Joy Schultz serves free meals at the Dorothy Day Hospitality House. (Click to see other members.)

QUIZ: Amanda won a gigantic Miracle Cookie for being the only contestant to locate the mystery object in our September 2006 quiz. Meanwhile, Sue Roberts won a gift certificate to Taormina Restaurant just for entering. Click here to see the results of our Autumn 2006 quiz, which featured a piece of King Street Church history.

 

 


Copyright © 2006-2008 by Larry Deming

This page last modified February 10, 2008, at 15:49 by TD