By Mary Cole

Contributing writer

David Gardner, a nationally recognized Scottish fiddle performer, teacher and contest judge, will enhance the second Celtic service of the year presented at Christ Episcopal Church on Oct. 8 at 5 p.m.  (Prelude music begins at 4:45 pm). 

Gardner is a specialist in the performance of music of 18th century Scottish composers. He has performed on innumerable occasions, both in America and Europe. Venues have included colonial taverns, festivals, orchestral concerts and on stages, which have included the Kennedy Center.

Gardner is currently a member of The Virginia Company and is sanctioned as a professional fiddle judge by the North American Association for Scottish Fiddling. He holds a degree from The College of William and Mary and is a German teacher and foreign language lead at Warwick High School in Newport News. Gardner was awarded a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Scholarship to Germany in 2003. 

The Celtic program is created and designed by Heidi Bloch, a former music director and organist for 19 years at Christ Church. It is an organized group of poems, music and readings, which flow in the form of a service in a church full of candles. The 5 p.m. hour allows the setting sun to shine through the lovely stained glass windows by the Tiffany, Lamb, Mayer and Wippell studios as this light gradually gives way to soft candlelight. This community offering has been enjoyed for over 15 years. A free-will contribution will be taken to assist with the event cost. A Celtic reception follows.