Jake Hinton • December 21, 2025

Charlie Brown Christmas Piano Concert

Share

A Community Piano Tradition at St. Barnabas


On Sunday, December 21, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church hosted its 4th annual A Charlie Brown Christmas piano concert, welcoming more than 90 people from the Borrego Springs community.

The program was inspired by A Charlie Brown Christmas, now marking its 60th year since its original 1965 broadcast. The special is known for its quiet message and its distinctive jazz score by Vince Guaraldi, which has become closely associated with the holiday season.


Pianist Steve T. Hunter performed piano selections drawn from the music of the program, using the familiar melodies to reflect on the central question raised in the story — what is Christmas all about? Hunter’s musical background includes classical training, jazz and blues performance, studio work, and decades of musical theatre playing and conducting.


During the concert, Fr. Michael Plekon took the part of Linus, referencing the well-known moment from the story when Linus explains the meaning of Christmas. Fr. Plekon spoke about the Christmas message traditionally drawn from the Gospel of Luke, reflecting on the Nativity and its significance in a way that echoed the spirit of that scene.


The concert concluded with the audience singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”


Donations were collected during the event to support community members in need, continuing St. Barnabas’ tradition of pairing seasonal programs with local outreach and care.


About Steve T. Hunter


Steve T. Hunter, born in Pasadena in 1956, began piano at age six. By 1964 he was studying under Robert E. Turner, a noted American pianist with lineage to Juilliard teachers Josef and Rosina Lhevinne. His early training blended classical technique with a strong ear, developing his ability to play both written music and by-ear arrangements of popular songs.


After relocating to Ontario as a teenager, Hunter enrolled in the jazz program at Humber College in Toronto, where he adapted his classical foundation to professional performance. By the late 1970s he was working full time in show bands and lounge settings, performing six nights a week and developing versatility across classical, jazz, rock, and rhythm-and-blues repertoires.


Hunter established himself in Toronto’s studio scene in the 1980s, playing on commercial recordings and developing his arranging and production skills. His career expanded into musical theatre with long-term roles in productions such as CATS and TOMMY, where he performed, arranged, and eventually conducted.

Over several decades he worked with notable mentors and collaborators across jazz, theatre, and commercial music, shaping a broad professional background.


Professional Highlights

  • Released ten solo recordings
  • Toured throughout the U.S. and Canada
  • Performed for a Canadian Prime Minister
  • Performed for a sitting U.S. President at the Kennedy Center
  • Built a four-decade career in Toronto spanning performance, arranging, conducting, studio work, and composition




Learn More About Borrego Springs

Cool Off at the Borrego Art Institute with Free Root Beer Floats on July 18

By Andrea McKenna • July 10, 2026
Looking for a fun way to beat the summer heat?

The Dive Bar at The Palms at Indian Head Hiring Bartenders

By The Palms at Indian Head Management • July 10, 2026
A one-of-a-kind underground cocktail lounge beneath the hotel's iconic Olympic-size pool adds another reason to visit Borrego Springs.

Live Your Dream Awards for Women

By Soroptimist of Borrego Springs • July 9, 2026
Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education & Training Awards for Women program is here to help women in Borrego Springs achieve their goals.

A Siesta at Christmas Circle in 1966 | Historic Borrego Sun

By Andrea McKenna • July 9, 2026
A 1966 Borrego Sun photo offers a glimpse of Christmas Circle during one of Borrego Valley's busy wildflower seasons. Published in the April 2, 1966 edition, the image shows visitors relaxing on the lawn near the iconic fountain after spending time exploring the desert in bloom. The original caption reads: SIESTA — One can get pretty hot and tired, looking at the wildflowers in Borrego Valley. Christmas Circle, with its inviting fountain, trees and green grass, is a nice place to take a break. This is the way it has been during the last few weekends. The photograph captures a quiet moment in Borrego Springs history, preserving the way visitors experienced Christmas Circle nearly 60 years ago. Images like this continue to document the community's past through the pages of the Borrego Sun archives.

Inside Borrego Springs' Award-Winning 806 House

July 8, 2026
The Southern California architect explains how thoughtful design, floor-to-ceiling glass and the surrounding desert shaped one of Borrego Springs' most distinctive homes.

Flashback: Bill & Jenny Wright’s Lasting Impact On Community Concerts

By Andrea McKenna • July 8, 2026
When the future of the Community Concert Association was uncertain, Bill Wright inspired a path forward through growth, volunteers and community support. As the Borrego Springs Community Concert Association announces its new season, it is worth remembering the people who helped keep this tradition alive. Founded in 1975, the all-volunteer nonprofit brings high-quality, eclectic music to Borrego Springs. Each season includes five public concerts and four free educational concerts for local students. Children are bused to the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center to experience professional live music, and musicians also visit local schools for interactive programs that introduce students to music up close. That tradition almost came to an end. When the Association had fallen on hard times (2015) and was preparing to disband, Bill Wright stepped forward. By reaching out to his many business associates, Bill raised enough money to help save the organization and keep professional musicians coming to the Borrego stage. Among his written correspondence with the board, Bill Wright repeatedly advocated for “growth, not reduction,” encouraged members to “recruit new volunteers” and “develop sponsorship opportunities,” and closed one letter with a promise that captured his commitment: “We will do more than our share to keep the great music series going.”

Share This Post