NYC AGO Metro Concert Calendar -- December 2010

The New York City Chapter — American Guild of Organists
Metro Concert Calendar
December 2010

Enjoy organ music in its infinite variety each week on PIPEDREAMS from American Public Media, heard Sundays at 10 pm on Classical WQXR-105.9 FM, New York City. PIPEDREAMS is also available OnDemand at www.pipedreams.org. For more information: www.wqxr.org/programs/pipedreams.

| More

Web Site: www.nycago.org

December 1 — Wednesday

7:30 pm. Advent Music of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Schola Cantorum of St. Agnes Church; James D. Wetzel, organist & choirmaster. Works by Josquin, Isaac, Hassler, Victoria, Rheinberger, and Bruckner. Church of Saint Agnes, 143 E. 43rd St. (Lexington/Third Aves.). Suggested donation: $15 ($10 students & seniors). (412) 951-7441.

7:30 pm. Faculty Organ Recital: Renée Anne Louprette. Sponsored by the John J. Cali School of Music, Montclair State University. Church of the Immaculate Conception, 1 Munn Street, Montclair, N.J. Free. (973) 744-5650.

December 2 — Thursday

11:00 am. Organ Performance Class: Students of Paul Jacobs, Chair of Organ Dept. Paul Hall – The Juilliard School, 155 W. 65th St./Broadway. Free. (212) 769-7406.

8:00 pm. Early Music Series: "A Sixteenth-Century Roman Christmas." Choir of St. Luke in the Fields; David Shuler, director. Works including a cappella music for the Christmas season by Palestrina, Allegri, Anerio and Josquin Desprez. The concert will be followed by a festive reception with food and drink based on recipes from the time. Church of St. Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson St. Season tickets: $110. Single: $30 ($20 students & seniors). (212) 414-9419.

December 4 — Saturday

4:00 pm. 22nd Annual Christmas Concert. Newark Boys Chorus (Donald Morris, director); First Presbyterian Chancel Choir (David Macfarlane, director); Bergenfield HS Honors Vocal Ensemble (Malcolm Couden, director); soloists and orchestra. First Presbyterian Church, 150 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, N.J. $50 (reserved), $20 (general). (201) 568-7373.

8:00 pm. Day for Dancing. Schola Cantorum on Hudson; Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, Artistic Director. Choral music by Lloyd Pfautsch with the Joyful Noise Dance Choir; also works by Bold, Gjeilo, Clausen, Hawley, and Hassler. St. John's in the Village, 218 West 11th Street. $15. (888) 407-6002 ext 1.

December 5 — Sunday

2:00 pm. All My Heart This Night Rejoices. Advent Concert with Festival of Voices, Sanctuary Choir and chamber orchestra; Kenneth Dake, director. Marble Collegiate Church, 1 West 29th St./Fifth Ave. Tickets at the door: $30 ($20 students & seniors); save $5 with advance tickets online or phone: (212) 686-2770 ext. 412.

3:00 pm. A Renaissance Christmas with My Lord Chamberlain Consort. Philip Anderson, tenor; Pat O’Brien, lute & cittern; Andy Rutherford, lute; Lisa Terry, viol & vielle; Marcia Young, soprano & harp. Traditional carols, noels, and dance music from England and the Continent. Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, 921 Madison Ave./73rd Street. Admission by suggested donation: $25 ($20 students & seniors). (212) 288-8920.

3:00 pm. St. Vincent Ferrer Chorale; Mark Bani, conductor. Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 (Part I), and other choral works. Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, 869 Lexington Ave./66th St. Suggested donation: $15 ($10 students & seniors). (212) 744-2080. 4:00 pm. Concitato Baroque Ensemble. An English Breakfast: Music of the Courts and Streets of London. Grace Church, 950 Broad Street, Newark, N.J. Free-will offering. (973) 623-1733.

3:30 pm. Concert with Commissioned Paintings. The Burgett Ensemble, with guests Beatrice Broadwater, soprano; Jo-Ann Sternberg, clarinet; and Jonathan Marz, artist. Works performed: Brahms: Quintet for Clarinet and Strings; Harvey Burgett: De Spiritu Sancto – Three Portraits of Mary (premiere). St. Thomas More Church, 65 East 89th St. (Park & Madison Avs). Free or optional donation. (212) 876-7719.

4:00 pm. The American Boychoir from Princeton presents a Holiday Concert featuring seasonal songs and carols from around the globe. The Church of the Epiphany (Episcopal), 1393 York Ave./East 74th St. Tickets $100/$50 (preferred); $20 (general); $10 (students & seniors). (212) 737-2720.

5:00 pm. Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity Bach Choir; Rick Erickson (Cantor and Organist), conductor. J.S. Bach: Cantata 167 - Ihr Menschen, rühmet Gottes Liebe (Premiere); Schütz: Die Stimm des Herren, SWV 331. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 3 W. 65th St./Central Park West. Free-will offering. (212) 877-6815.

5:15 pm. Peter Yardley-Jones (Berkhamsted, UK), organ. (Following Choral Evensong at 4:00 pm.) St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, Fifth Ave./53rd St. Free. (212) 757-7013, x303.

December 7 — Tuesday

7:30 pm. Concerts at Saint Thomas. The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys with Concert Royal; John Scott, conductor. Handel: Messiah. St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, Fifth Ave./53rd St. $45, $75, $95 ($35 students & seniors). (212) 757-7013, x303.

December 9 — Thursday

11:00 am. Organ Performance Class: Students of Paul Jacobs, Chair of Organ Dept. Paul Hall – The Juilliard School, 155 W. 65th St./Broadway. Free. (212) 769-7406.

7:30 pm. Concerts at Saint Thomas. The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys with Concert Royal; John Scott, conductor. Handel: Messiah. St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, Fifth Ave./53rd St. $45, $75, $95 ($35 students & seniors). (212) 757-7013, x303. .

December 10 — Friday

7:30 pm. Peter Yardley-Jones (Glasgow, Scotland), organ. Christ Church Greenwich, 254 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, Conn. Free. (203) 869-6600 x23.

December 11 — Saturday

4:30 pm. Second Annual Messiah Sing-In. The Chancel Choir and soloists; Matthew Phelps, conductor. Handel: Messiah (Part I). The Reformed Church of Bronxville, 180 Pondfield Rd., Bronxville, N.Y. $5 for score and wine & cheese reception. (914) 337-6776.

4:30 – 5:00 pm. Second Saturday Organ Series. David Enlow (Church of the Resurrection), organ. (Preceding Mass at 5:15 pm). Church of Saint Agnes, 143 E. 43rd St. (Lexington/Third Aves.). Free-will offering. (412) 951-7441.

8:00 pm. Christmas Concert. Cathedral Choir of Girls, Boys and Adults; The American Classical Orchestra; Bruce Neswick, director. Handel: Messiah (Part One and Hallelujah); Britten: A Ceremony of Carols. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave. Tickets via www.stjohndivine.org: $60 (reserved), $30 (general). (212) 316-7531.

December 12 — Sunday

3:00 pm. Advent Ceremony of Lessons and Carols. St. Vincent Ferrer Chorale; Mark Bani, conductor. Works by Victoria, Vaughan Williams, Rutter. Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, 869 Lexington Ave./66th St. Free-will offering. (212) 744-2080.

3:00 pm. Trinity Concert Series. Trinity Choir with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra; Robert Mealy, concertmaster; Juilian Wachner, conductor. Handel: Messiah. Trinity Church, Wall St. / Broadway. Tickets at door or online: season: $100; single: $50, $40, $30. (212) 602-0800. (Repeated on Monday, Dec. 13, 7:30 pm.)

4:00 pm. Christmas Concert. The Choir and Orchestra of St. Ignatius Loyola; Parish Community Choir; High School Choir; and Children's Choir. Kent Tritle, Renée Anne Louprette, Robert Reuter and Mary Huff, directors; Nancianne Parrella, organist. Britten: A Ceremony of Carols; and carols and motets from around the world. Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, Park Ave./84th St. Single tickets only: $60, $50 ($40 students & seniors). (212) 288-2520. Repeated on December 19.

4:00 pm. 70th Annual Candlelight Vespers. The Flatbush-Tompkins Chancel and Youth Choirs, soloists and chamber orchestra; Eric Birk, conductor. Handel: Messiah (complete). Flatbush-Tompkins Congregational Church, 424 E. 19th St. / Dorchester Road, Brooklyn. Free-will offering. (718) 282-5353.

4:30 pm. Not Only Noël: Renaissance Xmas and Other Gems. Music Divine; Stephen Bomine, director. St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery, 131 East 10th St. / Second Ave. $20, $10. (201) 914-3381.

5:00 pm. Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity Bach Choir; Rick Erickson (Cantor and Organist), conductor. J.S. Bach: Magnificat, BWV 243; Arcadelt: Ave Maria gratia plena. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 3 W. 65th St./Central Park West. Free-will offering. (212) 877-6815.

5:00 pm. Lessons and Carols. Heavenly Rest Choir, harp and viola; Mollie Nichols, director; Steven E. Lawson, organ. Church of the Heavenly Rest, Fifth Ave./90th St. Free-will offering. (212) 289-3400.

5:15 pm. Tim Pyper (Calgary, Alberta), organ. (Following Choral Evensong at 4:00 pm.) St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, Fifth Ave./53rd St. Free. (212) 757-7013, x303.

December 13 — Monday

7:30 pm. Trinity Concert Series. Trinity Choir with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra; Robert Mealy, concertmaster; Juilian Wachner, conductor. Handel: Messiah. Trinity Church, Wall St. / Broadway. Tickets at door or online: season: $100; single: $50, $40, $30. (212) 602-0800.

December 14 — Tuesday

12:30 pm. PRISM Organ Recital Series: Paolo Guardaini, organ. Central Synagogue, 652 Lexington Ave. / 55th St. Free. (212) 838-5122.

December 15 — Wednesday

7:00 pm. 6th Annual Carol Sing. Saint Andrew Chorale & MAPC’s Children’s Choirs with guest instrumentalists; Andrew Henderson & Mary Huff, directors. Seasonal readings and choral music, including excerpts from Handel’s Messiah. Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, 921 Madison Ave./73rd Street. Free. (212) 288-8920.

December 16 — Thursday

11:00 am. Organ Performance Class: Students of Paul Jacobs, Chair of Organ Dept. Paul Hall – The Juilliard School, 155 W. 65th St./Broadway. Free. (212) 769-7406.

5:30 pm. Concerts at Saint Thomas. The Boys of Saint Thomas Choir; Anna Reinersman, harp; John Scott, director. Britten: A Ceremony of Carols; Rutter: Dancing Day. St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, Fifth Ave./53rd St. $40. (212) 757-7013, x303.

December 19 — Sunday

{ 3:00 pm. Dionisio Lind (Carillonneur), carillon prelude.
{ 3:30 pm. Candlelight Carol Festival. (Repeated at 6:00 pm.) The Riverside Choir, soloists, and instrumentalists; The Riverside Chamber Singers; The Riverside Inspirational Choir; The Riverside Ringers; and The Riverside Children’s Choir. Christopher Johnson, Director of Music & Organist. The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr./120th St. $25, $15 (students & seniors), $10 (children 12 and under). (212) 870-6784.

4:00 pm. Christmas Concert. The Choir and Orchestra of St. Ignatius Loyola; Parish Community Choir; High School Choir; and Children's Choir. Kent Tritle, Renée Anne Louprette, Robert Reuter and Mary Huff, directors; Nancianne Parrella, organist. Britten: A Ceremony of Carols; and carols and motets from around the world. Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, Park Ave./84th St. Single tickets only: $60, $50 ($40 students & seniors). (212) 288-2520.

4:00 pm. Music Before 1800. Blue Heron, Scott Metcalfe, director, vielle and harp. "Christmas at the Courts of the 15th-century France, Burgundy and Cyprus." The Renaissance choir from Boston and three outstanding instrumentalists perform music for Advent, Christmas and the New Year by Obrecht, Josquin Desprez, Du Fay, Mouton, and Brumel. Wine and cheese reception follows. Corpus Christi Church, 529 W. 121st St. $40, $30, $20; students/seniors $35, $25, $15. (212) 666-9266.

4:00 pm. Service of Lessons and Carols. The Brick Church Choir; Keith S. Tóth, director; Daniel Kirk-Foster, organ; David B. Diggs, oboe. Traditional choral music for Advent and Christmas. Mr. Kirk-Foster will also perform works by Debussy and Rachmaninoff on the newly restored, 1898 Steinway C Concert Grand Piano which will be making its debut at this service. Brick Presbyterian Church, Park Ave. / 91st St. (212) 289-4400.

4:00 pm. Candlelight Carol Service. First Presbyterian Church, 150 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, N.J. Free-will offering. (201) 568-7373.

5:00 pm. Candlelight Lessons and Carols. The Holy Trinity Bach & Parish Choirs; Rick Erickson (Cantor and Organist), conductor. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 3 W. 65th St./Central Park West. Free-will offering. (212) 877-6815.

5:00 pm. Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Former and current members of The Holy Trinity Choir, directed by Stephen Hamilton, will be joined by present and former clergy to celebrate 20 years of tradition. This festive reunion service will include such favorites as Britten's A Ceremony of Carols, Rutter's Sans Day Carol, and Boyce's Beautiful Star of Bethlehem. Church of the Holy Trinity (Episcopal), 316 East 88th Street. Free-will offering. (212) 289-4100 x210.

{ 5:30 pm. Dionisio Lind (Carillonneur), carillon prelude.
{ 6:00 pm. Candlelight Carol Festival. The Riverside Choir, soloists, and instrumentalists; The Riverside Chamber Singers; The Riverside Inspirational Choir; The Riverside Ringers; and The Riverside Children’s Choir. Christopher Johnson, Director of Music. The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr./120th St. $25, $15 (students & seniors), $10 (children 12 and under). (212) 870-6784.

December 21 — Tuesday

8:00 pm. Musica Sacra Chorus and Orchestra; Kent Tritle, conductor. Handel: Messiah. Carnegie Hall, 57th St./7th Ave. $25 - $128. (212) 330-7684.

December 22 — Wednesday

7:00 pm. The Glory of Christmas in New York. Paul Murray (Dir. of Music & Organist), organ. Organ music for Christmas. Church of the Holy Family, 315 E. 47th St. (1st/2nd Aves.) Suggested donation: $15. (212) 753-3401.

8:00 pm. Musica Sacra Chorus and Orchestra; Kent Tritle, conductor. Handel: Messiah. Carnegie Hall, 57th St./7th Ave. $25 - $128. (212) 330-7684.

December 24 — Thursday (Christmas Eve)

4:00 pm. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Cathedral Choir of Girls, Boys and Adults; Bruce Neswick, director. Carols and anthems by Willlan, Joubert, Mawby, Poston, Onyeji, Schelat, Llewellyn and Tavener. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave. Free. (212) 316-7531.

{ 7:30 pm. Dionisio Lind (Carillonneur), carillon prelude.
{ 8:00 pm. Lessons and Carols. The Riverside Choir and The Riverside Ringers, as well as selections for harp, flute, organ and carillon. Christopher Johnson, Dir. of Music and Organist. The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr./120th St. Free. (212) 870-6784.

December 27 — Monday

7:00 pm. Fourth Monday Concert. "More Music for Christmas" with Joe Damon Chappel, bass; Nathan Botts, valveless trumpet; Rick Erickson, organ. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 3 W. 65th St./Central Park West. $15 ($10 students & seniors). (212) 877-6815.

December 28 — Tuesday

8:00 pm. Bach Again for Christmas. Choir and Orchestra of St. Ignatius of Antioch; Douglas Keilitz, director. Bach: Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225; Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin bei dir, BWV 228; Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226; Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden, BWV 230; and Buxtehude: Das neugeborne Kinderlein, BuxWV 13; Cantate Domino, BuxWV 12; In dulci jubilo, BuxWV 52. Jorge Avila performs Bach's Violin Sonata in E-Major, BWV 1016. St. Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church, 552 West End Ave./87th St. In advance: $30, $20 (seniors& students); at the door: $35, $25 (seniors & students). (212) 580-3326.

December 31 — Friday (New Year's Eve)

{ 10:00 pm. Dionisio Lind (Carillonneur), carillon recital.
{ 10:30 pm. Christopher Johnson (Dir. of Music & Organist), organ. (Followed by Watch Night Service at 11:00 pm.) The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr./120th St. Free. (212) 870-6784.

11:00 pm. William K. Trafka (Dir. of Music & Organist), organ. Festive works for this New Year’s celebration, including organ works of Bach, Howells and Planyavsky, will be heard alongside transcriptions of orchestral works by Vivaldi and Walton. Trafka’s own transcription of Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man will be played at the stroke of midnight. St. Bartholomew's Church, 325 Park Ave./51st St. Free. (212) 378-0222.