Renaissance Christmas at Dec. Kids’ Concert

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The December 17 KPBX Kids' Concert filled the second floor of Auntie’s Bookstore with song and music of the medieval times.
The Miller’s Tale, a local trio, showcased their unusual instruments and introduced kids to rarely-heard winter songs such as “The Boar’s Head Carol” and “The Apple Tree.”

Throughout the concert, Caridwen Irvine Spatz wove a fable of two brothers, trolls, and why there are so many herring in the sea.

The concert is available online with thanks to The Miller's Tale, and the technical assistance of George Thomsen and Bill Wright.

‘The Miller’s Tale’ is more than a part of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The musical trio performs music from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Celtic traditions on period and contemporary instruments. The trio last performed for KPBX audiences on the 2004 Fall Folk Fest broadcast.

Spokane Public Radio listeners also know James Funke-Loubigniac from his time with the Celtic Nots. A longtime Spokane musician, James specializes in the hurdy gurdy, cittern, and concertina. He has also picked up the crumhorn – a double-reed capped instrument that looks similar to a bent recorder.

Rick Rubin is a lutist, percussionist, and plays Renaissance flute. He also played his oud, an Arabic ancestor to the lute. He also provides some of the trio’s vocals.

Caridwen Irvine Spatz is a theatrical storyteller in addition to an accomplished musician. A violin teacher at Holy Names Music Academy, Spatz studied voice and violin performance in Germany and her native Canada. Recently, she’s picked up the bowed psaltery, a triangular-shaped instrument based on Renaissance and medieval instruments.

This Winter Solstice Kids’ Concert took place in the upstairs reading area at 402 West Main in Downtown Spokane. The Winter Concerts were free thanks to Auntie’s Bookstore, Windermere Real Estate, and Spokane Cardiology.