Series 5: Walker Family Music Collection

Walker Family Reunion, Atwood Lodge, Ohio (1996)

One of the special highlights of Musica Americana Arcana is the series featuring the Walker Family Music Collection. Composer Mark F. Walker (1918-1991) and his wife Kathryn (1920-2013) a recognized teacher of violin, viola, and piano met at Jordan Conservatory at Butler University in the 1930s and were united in marriage in 1941. Raising a family in Indianapolis in the 1940s and 50s, Kathryn made sure that all of her children played stringed instruments, eventually building up to a full quintet by the 1960s. Daughters Jane, Harriett, Ellen, and Susie instilled this love of music to their own children. As a result, the Walker family blossomed and expanded over succeeding generations with many in-laws and cousins adding to the mix.

The music in this series consists of music written for family members by Mark Walker and his grandson N. Pappas for family get togethers, holidays, and other special occasions. The highlight of this collection is the holiday music written for Christmases at the Walker house, mostly Christmas Medleys arranged for various chamber music ensembles. These arrangements remain accessible but are musically satisfying to both performer and listener. No carols were repeated from year to year. As a result, these medleys together present almost thirty different carols with solos and extended passages for each player. Experience a fun and unique holiday tradition as the Walkers have done for more than sixty years!