Tim Allen on piano and Claire Chomentowski on trombone entertain the kids in Roxbury at the Roxbury Community Church What do you get when you take a trombone player from New Jersey and put her with a pianist from Northfield in the old church in Roxbury? A free, entertaining, annual, themedconcert of music that included the two instruments as well as recorder playing and singing, which the two have been offering to locals for a decade.

Claire Chomentowski and Bob Allen, the duet otherwise known as "Hot Rococo," met almost 12 years ago "through mutual friends who got their wires crossed." Bob was looking for other musicians for a Civil War group "Hardtack and Homespun" he had formed, and Claire was looking for a keyboardist to accompany her with Handel recorder sonatas. They soon discovered that they had parallel musical tastes which include their passion for Gershwin, Renaissance music and Big Band.

Both musicians have experienced music as more than just a passing hobby. Claire started out in the music department at Trenton State College, where she focused on the trombone. After excessive practicing damaged her lip, she was forced to change majors, but continued playing the trombone and also took up the recorder. Bob majored in music at the University of Vermont and studied with Elaine Greenfield in South Burlington, whom he said "was a great teacher and coach." He also studied at the Adamant Music School in Calais and was greatly influenced by piano teachers who worked with him there. Currently, Claire directs and sings in the a capella choral group that performs at the church (of which her husband Tom, is a member) and Bob sings in this group as well.

Some of their past concerts have highlighted gypsy, Spanish, Renaissance and Italian music, and they are known for classical as well as fun music. Their upcoming concert will be another unique presentation - a concert with music inspired by childhood images and music written for children. Some of the pieces are short, soothing sweet lullabies, "conducive to napping," Claire says with a chuckle. Other works include some from Sesame Street, March of the Toys and March of the Marionettes. While the concerts normally attract adults, they are hoping to have children at this one. Hot Rococo sends out bright, creative, handmade invitations to people they know are music lovers, and this year they addressed the invitations to children in the families.

For the many local residents who regularly attend the Hot Rococo concerts, there is no doubt that the pair make wonderful music together and have a great time doing it. They both love performing their favorite music, entertaining the public, dressing in costumes and injecting humor wherever possible. On a recent evening when asked about how they met and formed their musical group, Claire commented with a wistful smile, "It was destiny." No sooner had she said that, than she began to laugh. Bob joined in on the laugh and Claire added, "It's all fun."