New concert series

At 3:00pm this Sunday, May 15, Saint Philip’s will embark on a new concert series, Saint Philip’s Sings. This series will include one or two larger events during the year devoted to sacred choral and instrumental repertoire. (At 2:30pm on Sunday, May 15, Dr. Justin Appel will offer a pre-concert talk.)

The new Music Commission at Saint Philip’s recognizes that the First Sunday Music sequence has become an important niche which utilizes the strengths of the church’s choral program and the parish’s emphasis on liturgical worship. The Music Commission would like to see more events that tap into this energy, but with the freedom natural to a concert setting.

This first concert will be a program devoted entirely to Arvo Pärt, an Estonian who has become known in recent years as “the most performed living composer,” according to survey data. Roughly half of the program will feature purely instrumental works, including his famous Fratres for solo violin (performed by local violinist Ellen Ensey), and the other half will consist of choral/orchestra material, including his cantata Adam’s Lament, and his gem-like motet Salve Regina for choir, strings, and celeste.

This promises to be a very moving program of Arvo Pärt’s music, and all are warmly invited to attend and bring friends. The Music Commission is committed to keeping these concerts free.

Do you know that the larger choral and instrumental music Saint Philip’s offers is funded in great part by donations? If you appreciate the music presented throughout the year, please consider making a donation to Saint Philip’s in the Hills and designate ‘First Sunday Music.’ Your donations support music on First Sundays, as well as concerts.

Thank you for giving to these projects; they simply wouldn’t happen without your generosity.

I hope to see you on May 15!

—Justin Appel, Director of Music