DioBeth newSpin

Wondrous Love Concert on March 24th at St. John's, Palmerton

Trinity, Bethlehem Spring Artist-in-Residence Organ Concert March 18

[From Trinity, Bethlehem]

ARAM BASMADJIAN, Artist-in-Residence at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bethlehem, will herald both spring and Trinity’s newly refurbished Aeolian-Skinner organ on March 18. His recital at 3 P.M. will feature music by the best known composers of music for the “king of instruments,” including Handel, Bach, Bingham, Schumann, Vierne, and Widor.

Mr. Basmadjian has released three solo recordings, including the first classical recording on the world's largest Wurlitzer pipe organ in Barrington, Illinois. He toured for six years with Community Concerts, with performances in over fifty cities each year.

A reception will follow the recital at the church at 44 E. Market Street, Bethlehem. There is a suggested donation of $15; children under 12 are admitted free.   Tickets are available at the door.

For more information: info@trinitybeth.org, 610-867-4741.

The Best Karaoke Night Ever, March 23

The St. Andrew’s choir invites you to a fundraiser event at The Historic Weaversville Inn, Friday night March 23, 2012 7 pm – 10 pm. The Weaversville Inn is located at 6916 Weaversville Road  Northampton, PA 18067

 

Come earlier and enjoy some of the amazing entrees created for you by Chef Mark Prostko and his staff. Food and beverage selections will be available all evening.

 

Stay all night and be entertained by Dale & Gina Lakatosh, our Karaoke DJs for the evening. Ask your friends, get a table together.

 

You may not want to sing but you’ll want to watch some of the others share some of their favorites with you. Cover charge is $8.00 per person. Tickets can be purchased in advance from any choir member. Reservations are strongly suggested. All proceeds will be used to purchase music and additional instrumentation for worship services.

 

Come out, join us, and make a joyful noise. The St. Andrew’s Choir thanks you.

Lenten Evensong at Mediator, Allentown on March 4

By Clint Miller

Lenten Evensong
March 4, 4:00 p.m.

Mediator’s choir will sing Choral Evensong on the afternoon of March 4 at four o’clock. Of special interest for this Lenten Evensong will be a performance of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis composed by our own Neil Farrell. We are, indeed, fortunate to have Neil, his wife, Leslie, and their two sons, Liam and Jack as members of our church family. 

Neil and his family arrived in the Lehigh Valley from New York City a few years ago where Neil had a distinguished career as a professional musician, composer and singer. He was a frequent tenor soloist with most the city’s best professional and volunteer choruses; among the most notable being the renowned Renaissance ensemble, Pomerium,  Voices of Ascension and the New York Virtuoso Singers, to name only a few. For five years he was a member of the choir of The Cathedral of St. John the Divine and has also been featured as soloist on numerous recordings by these and other prominent musical ensembles. As a composer and arranger, his works have been performed and recorded by the above ensembles as well as The Western Wind Ensemble, Canticum Novum, and Equal Voices, among others. He has written more than a dozen anthems for the Choir St. Ignatius of Loyola, of which he was a member for 18 years. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis were his first adult compositions written while he was in the choir at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Neil still travels back and forth to New York to perform with several of these musical ensembles, most recently with Pomerium. He also occasionally sings with our choir when his schedule permits and when we are in need of his enviable talents. 

The Choir will also sing Maurice Greene’s (1896-1755) wonderful anthem, “Lord, let me know mine end”, one of the choir’s favorites, which they last performed a couple of years ago. Greene succeeded to every major musical post in England becoming organist of St. Paul’s Cathedral (1718), organist and composer of the Chapel Royal (1727) and Master of the King’s Music (1735). He was also professor of music at Cambridge. 

Sadly, Gerre Hancock, the distinguished organist and Choirmaster of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Manhattan for over three decades, died last month, January 17, in  Austin, Texas where he was Professor of organ and sacred music at the University of Texas. He was renowned in the profession for his skills of improvisation, virtuosity at the organ and his superb skills as choir trainer. Writing about the St. Thomas choir in The New York Times in 2004, the music critic, Allan Kozinn, said, “ It produces a polished and beautifully balanced sound that for sacred music ….. is about the best that New York has to offer. The concluding voluntary on March 4 will be his organ composition “Aria” composed in 1963 and dedicated to his wife, Judith, also a distinguished organist and musician. 

As is our custom, a gala reception will follow the Evensong in the Commons Room so mark your calendars and invite a friend. 

Chancel Opera of Naaman the Leper to be performed February 12th at Church of the Mediator, Allentown

[ From Jo Trepagnier]

The Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Allentown is proud to announce a special addition to our Sunday service on February 12^th (8 & 10:15am). A new sermon-length chancel oratorio in costume called “Naaman the Leper” (based on 2 Kings 5:1-19) will be offered. The parish has tapped some of its own choir members and parishioners including children to stage this new opera, with score and libretto by Susan Hulsman Bingham. Susan and Timothy Bingham are members of the Church of the Mediator.

Susan composes the scores (sometimes with the creative support of children) and her various pieces can be explored at www.chancelopera.com. The liturgical (or "church" or "chancel") operas are short pieces designed to replace the sermon in the worship service. Action takes place in the "chancel" -- that is, the elevated area approaching the altar, between the choir stalls in most churches.

Naaman is a prominent political and social figure who stands in high favor with the King of Aram. However, he has leprosy. Though his arrogance prevents him, at first, from heeding a suggestion by his young Israelite slave girl to seek help from the prophet Elisha, his illness wears him down. He grudgingly seeks Elisha’s help, even more grudgingly follows his simple prescription for a cure, and is healed of both inner and outer ill health.

Mediator welcomes all to explore this virtual way of hearing this great Bible story. The church is located at 1620 W. Turner Street and on-street parking is available., as well as parking at the Masonic Temple on Linden Street. A nursery for children under age 3 is open at 9:00am.

Save the Date: Trinity, Pottsville Concert Series features Canon Mark Laubach and Cora Gamelin-Osenbach on April 15th

Arts on the Mountain, Feb. 19

Trinity Episcopal Church
139 Trinity Hill Rd.
Mt. Pocono, PA 18344
Contact: Peter Salmon 570-629-0644
Church office: 570-839-9376

On Sunday, February 19, 2012, Arts On the Mountain at Trinity Episcopal Church, Mt. Pocono, PA, will present a music and art event beginning with a reception for the artists at  3 PM. The Flute Choir of the Poconos  will perform a concert of varied works, beginning at 4 PM, and author Robert McMahon will offer selected readings from his new book “Wandering Thoughts”. Copies of the book, now in its second printing, will also be available for purchase, signed by the author. The Art Gallery in the Parish Hall will feature Photography by Frank Fiore. A suggested donation of $10. ($5. students) helps support programming by Arts On the Mountain.

Sacred Harp Sing at St. Peter's, Tunkhannock on January 8th

[From Fr. Ed Erb]

David Martin of St. Peter's Tunkhannock is very active in the Sacred Harp Society.  What is that, you ask?  One of the very important foundations of (early) American hymnody, sometimes called "Shape Note" singing.
 
A Sacred Harp Sing is being held at the new St. Peter's Church off Route 6 in Tunkhannock on Sunday, January 8th at 3:00p.m.
 
Associated particularly with the Appalachian mountains, Sacred Harp/Shape Note was developed as a means in the Singing School of teaching music to "the back-woods."  Many of our beloved hymns come from the tradition of unaccompanied four-part singing which inspired many generations of early Americans from New England to Appalachia and the Southern states.  Many hymn-books common to the 19th century Church followed suit:  The Sacred Harp, Southern Harmony, Kentucky Harmony, Songs of Zion and many others sought to educate and inspire.
 
A "sing" typically involves a square of tenors (with the melody), altos, sopranos and basses in sections facing each other.  A signature element is the 4-shape notes, familiar elipse (or "lozenge"), a square, a triangle and a rectangle, each of which indicate a particular note of the scale.  (In an 8-note octave, the four signs are repeated "do" through "fa," "sol" through "do" - think, "Do a Deer" and go from there.)
 
If you are intrigued, we invite you to come and join us in this unique experience.  Sunday, January 8th at 3:00 p.m. at the new St. Peter's Church in Tunkhannock.  Contact David Martin for more information:  martin24@juno.com

Advent Lessons and Carols, St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre on December 14th

ChurchPost.com » Advent Lessons and Carols

 

St. Stephen’s Choir will present the annual Festival Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent on Wednesday, December 14 ^th at 6:00 p.m., led and accompanied by Canon Mark Laubach.  Offerings will support St. Stephen’s “Voice For Life” Fund and gifts of food and clothing will be received for those in need.  A reception will follow in the Auditorium.

Yuletide Recital by Aram Basmadjian December 11th on Trinity, Bethlehem's newly restored organ

Time: December 11, 3:00 p.m.

Location: Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 E. Market St., Bethlehem, PA 18018

Trinity Episcopal Church in Bethlehem will celebrate both its newly restored Aeolian-Skinner organ and its new Artist-in-Residence, Aram Basmadjian. Aram is renowned among organists for his exciting and spectacular CD recordings and nation-wide tours using Allen theater and church organs. He currently  manages the custom organ department for Allen Organ Company in Macungie, PA.

This concert of seasonal and classical music will mix traditional and modern compositions, including Bach’s Sinfonia from Cantata 29 “We Thank Thee, God”, Frederick Delius’ “Winter Night”, and “Carol Rhapsody” by Richard Purvis, and a chance for the audience to sing along to Christmas carols. A reception with Yuletide treats will follow the performance.

Tickets are at the door, suggested donation $15, children under 12 free.

For further information, contact Mother Laura Howell, info@trinitybeth.org or 610-867-4741

Santa visits Music Together at Trinity, West Pittston

ChurchPost.com » Santa visits Music Together at Trinity West Pittston

Dear Bakery Friends, Trinity West Pittston had a special visitor last night when Santa Claus heard a Music Together class in progress and dropped in to visit with the children and their families.  Music Together is an internationally known music and movement program for children from birth to age five and the grownups that love them, which Trinity brought to the area three years ago as part of our MUSICare ministry to young families.  Fifteen children and their parents and grandparents were taking part in Trinity's annual free Christmas demonstration of the Music Together program, including a number of families who were new to the Music Together experience.  Santa Claus heard the loud and joyful sound of the children experimenting with the rhythm instruments and stopped by to sing along.  Santa joined the kids and their families in a rousing rendition of "Jingle Bells," then spent time talking to the children and gave each a small gift.  I was able to get this photo of Santa and some of the children and their parents and grandparents before Santa had to hurry off... The Christmas Santa Sing-a-Long is one of two free Music Together events held at Trinity each year-- the other is an end-of-summer party. In addition, we participate in numerous free demonstrations in the community at libraries, bookstores and schools during the year. Three semesters of classes, 10 weeks per semester, are held each year, with classes offered mornings, afternoons and early evenings.   If you or someone you know lives in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area and is interested in more information about Music Together classes, please email me at janineungvarsky@msn.com or visit musictogether.com.  The next class semester starts January 10.   Peace... Janine Ungvarsky Assistant Administrator MUSICare featuring Music Together Trinity West Pittston   Little Jackson meets Santa for the very first time...

Christmas Reflections with Michael Bodnyk at St. John's, Palmerton, December 10th

Music at St. Stephen's Wilkes-Barre

Choral Eucharist will be celebrated on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 23 at 7:30 p.m.  Fr. Gunn will celebrate and preach, and St. Stephen’s Choir and Canon Laubach will lead music that will include beloved hymns for the Thanksgiving and harvest season.

A new Liturgical Year will be ushered in with Choral Eucharist for Advent Sunday, November 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Pianist Ron Stabinsky will be heard in concert on Friday, November 25 at 8:00 p.m., in collaboration with David Liebman (saxophones) and Tony Marino (bass).

St. Stephen’s Choir will present the annual Festival Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent on Wednesday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m., led and accompanied by Canon Mark Laubach.  Offerings will support St. Stephen’s “Voice For Life” Fund and gifts of food and clothing will be received for those in need.  A reception will follow in the Auditorium.

The Wyoming Valley Band, directed by Donald Williams, will present its annual concert for the holiday season with organist Mark Laubach on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m.   Come hear beloved favorites (both sacred and secular) for the Christmas and Hanukah seasons.  Free admission, reception to follow in the Auditorium.

Christmas Eve and Day Liturgies of the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated on Saturday, December 24 at 4:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. (“Midnight Mass”, preceded by a Carol-Sing and Prelude at 10:30 p.m.), and on Sunday, December 25 at 10:30 a.m.

Advent music program: A Procession with Hymns, Carols & Lessons, St. Gabriel's, Douglassville, November 27th

Jubilate for Advent - Epiphany (November 27, 2011 to February 19, 2012)

Hymnody for Advent to last Sunday of Epiphany (November 27, 2011 to February 19, 2012), published by the Diocese of Bethlehem for our diocesan community and for free distribution to the world, may be downloaded below as an Acrobat or MSWord file. Jubilate is a service of our Liturgy and Music Commission, specifically Canon Cliff Carr who has been doing this for more than 30 years.

Download the Word file here: Download 111121ADVENT-B

Download the .PDF file here: Download 111121ADVENT-B

Yuletide Revels with Bells & Motley, Trinity, Bethlehem, December 3rd

Trinity, Easton Organ Concert October 21

Trinity, Bethlehem Concert Series for 2011-2012

St. Paul's, Montrose announces Under a Harvest Moon Dinner and Jazz Performance October 22

[From Paul Walker]

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Montrose has announced “Under the Light of the Harvest Moon,” a program of dinner and live jazz to celebrate the return of autumn to Susquehanna County on Saturday, October 22.  The dinner will benefit The Adventure Club, a free after-school program located at St. Paul’s Church for students in the area .  The doors will open at 6:30 P.M. and dinner begins at 7:00 P.M.  The tickets are $15, and may be purchased by calling the church office at 278-2954.  Joe Welden and his friends will offer jazz music between the main course and dessert.

The Leadership Program for Musicians

[From The Rev. Hillary Raining]

I am writing to tell you all about a wonderful new initiative beginning in the Diocese this fall. It is call the Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM).

The LPM is a National Teaching Ministry giving Church Musicians an ncreased sense of vocational awareness and the tools to help congregations sing well and participate actively in worship. If your congregation is looking for a tool for renewal, this will help. I have
attached a poster with more information. It's an MSWord file.

Download Poster

Registration is now open. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Peace,

Rev. Hillary Raining,
LPM Coordinator
Telephone 610-867-4741 x303
Facsimile 610-867-5206
Email Hillary@trinitybeth.org
The Diocesan Website www.diobeth.org
National LPM Website www.lpm-online.org