Upcoming Events in Music
2010 Concerts
Sunday, JUNE 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.
Church Sanctuary
Loma Linda University High School String Orchestra
Pensacola Children’s Chorus
On Sunday, May 30, the Pensacola Children’s Chorus will sing for our 11
o’clock worship service. The chorus is directed by Susan and Allen Pote
and is one of six choirs in their graded system. To find out more about thisexcellent group visit their website: PensacolaChildrensChorus.com. |
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Monday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Church Sanctuary
Fanfares, Flourishes and Favorites:
The Brass Ensemble of First United Methodist Church in concert.
Come and join us on Monday evening, April 26, at 7:30 pm. for an exciting evening of music presented by our own Brass Ensemble and our magnificent Aeolian-Skinner/Dyer organ. Titled Fanfare, Flourishes and Favorites, the concert will be a mix of music from different eras, reaching back as far as the 16th century and also including compositions representing our current 21st century. The concert will offer bold fanfares and vibrant compositions that showcase the unequalled power of the brass among musical instruments but also include works of a more gentle nature that demonstrate the wide emotional range of the instruments. To illustrate this wide range, the ensemble will play “Susato Suite,” a multi-movement work that includes triumphant music to call troops to battle then, later in the concert, we will offer J. S. Bach’s “If Thou Be Near,” a gentle and tender enticement for God to be with us.
In the music of the 16th and 17th centuries we will play music for brass ensemble alone but in the later eras the ensemble is often joined by the organ, played by First United Methodist organist Linda van Niekerk, for an even richer experience. This combination of instruments has prompted composers through the ages to write noble music for grand occasions. Still today, music for brass and organ is a favorite combination for serious composers illustrated by the inclusion in our program of Kaska’s “Herioc Entry” and Sharp’s “Fanfare and Flourishes.” In addition to our ensemble presentations, several of the talented individual members of the ensemble offer their special musicianship in solo works that will provide a pleasing contrast to the full ensemble.
The program breaks easily into three categories: early music from the Renaissance and Baroque Periods, exciting pieces from the Romantic and Contemporary eras and wonderfully creative hymn arrangements. Beginning with titles you know, the Brass Ensemble will play great hymns of the church, including “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” These tunes represent the best loved music from our corporate worship and will inspire us even in this concert setting. Other music by great composers in our program will include Wagner’s “Pilgrim’s Chorus,” Strauss’ “Solemn Entry,” Gabrieli’s “Canzon XV” and Moussorgsky’s “Great Gate of Kiev.”
We hope you will join us for this evening of thrilling and powerful music for brass and organ. The concert is free to the congregation and community and is sponsored by The Friends of Music.
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Saturday, February 20, 2010 7:30 p.m.
Concordia College Choir
Dr. René Clausen, conductor
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Sunday, February 7, 2010 4:30 p.m.
Hymn Festival
with Michael Burkhardt
Sponsored by the Central Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
No admission charge
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Saturday, February 6, 2010 8:00 p.m.
The Florida Festival Singers
Dr. Kevin Fenton, conductor
Tickets are $10.50, general admission; $7, seniors/students
http://www.fsof.org/
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2009 Concerts
Our Chancel Choir will sing both traditional carols in grand arrangements and new music of the season in their annual Christmas concert with full orchestra. Music by two of the most important contemporary composers, John Rutter and Mack Wilberg, will be featured in this year’s concert. Mr Rutter has long been acknowledged as a composer with a special affinity to Christmas and this year we sing four of his compositions. One of those four compositions, Gloria, is an extended setting of the traditional “Gloria” text and it is arguably his best work. Scored for brass ensemble and organ, the choir will sing the powerful final movement of this three movement work. Dr. Wilberg is an annual addition to our program, this year represented by six exquisite arrangements. His “The First Nowell” has become a “must sing” carol for us every year as we combine it with his setting of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” as our concert finale. Some of the other familiar titles you will hear earlier in the program include “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” “Silent Night,” “We Three Kings” and “I Saw Three Ships.” The concert is free, a gift to the congregation and community given by the “Friends of Music.”
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2009 Christmas Concert Repertoire |
| Wexford Carol |
Irish melody, arr. Mack Wilberg |
Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain |
Carolyn Jennings |
| Arise, Shine |
Dan Forrest |
| Hallelu! |
Stephen Paulus |
| Nativity Carol |
John Rutter |
| Hark! the Herald Angels Sing |
Felix Mendelssohn, arr. Arthur Harris |
| Three Kings of Orient |
John Hopkins, arr. John Rutter |
| Ding! Dong! Merrily On High |
French Carol, arr. Mack Wilberg |
| I Saw Three Ships |
English Carol, arr Mack Wilberg |
| Lux Aurumque |
Eric Whitacre |
| Silent Night! |
Franz Gruber, arr. Mack Wilberg |
| Sheep May Safely Graze |
J.S. Bach, arr. Leopold Stokowski |
| Gloria, Movement III |
John Rutter |
| The First Nowell |
English Carol, arr. Mack Wilberg |
| O Come, All Ye Faithful |
John Wade, arr. Mack Wilberg |
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“Light of the World”
A Children's Choirs' Musical Offering
5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 2009
Our Children’s Choirs will present a delightful musical, “Light of the World” by Mark Paterson. Mr. Patterson brings familiar carols and his own new compositions together in a musical that reminds us that Jesus is the “Light of the World.” Narrators take us through the story of prophecy and the nativity and the music provides further insight into the Holy story. One of the highpoints of the presentation is the passing of candlelight throughout the congregation as the program concludes. Sharing the program will be children from the Wesley Child Development Center singing several carols, directed by their new music teacher, Mary Jane Nunley. From “The Friendly Beasts” to “Silent Night” this will be a very special evening.
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Saint Olaf Orchestra Concert
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Saint Olaf College Orchestra will present a formal concert in our sanctuary on Thursday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m. The 90-member ensemble has been featured at national and regional Music Educator’s Conventions and Time magazine’s Richard Ostling has called it “one of the best college orchestras in the nation.” Author Garrison Keillor, host of the radio program A Prairie Home Companion, has compared the ensemble to the Chicago Symphony.
The St. Olaf Orchestra has been under the direction of Steven Amundson since 1981. The ensemble has become known for its enthusiasm and youthful passion. Under Amundson’s direction, the orchestra has pursued the highest standards in orchestral repertoire, often programming works not attempted by other collegiate ensembles. Recent performances include works by Stravinsky, Strauss and Barber. This year’s tour will include the famous and demanding Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz.
The orchestra has toured throughout the United States, Scandinavia and Europe and appeared in many of Europe’s finest concert halls. Annual tours of the United States have taken the orchestra to this country’s premier halls, including Alice Tully Hall in New York City and Orchestra Hall in Chicago.
Tickets for the concert are $15 for adults and $5 for students. All pre-concert ticket sales will be made through the St. Olaf ticket website at stolaftickets.com. Additional tickets will be available at the door on the night of the concert.
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Festival Singers of Florida
"A Cathedral of Sound"
October 10, 2009
On Saturday, October 10, at 8 p.m. the Festival Singers of Florida will present a program titled “A Cathedral of Sound.” The Festival Singers of Florida is a highly select and auditioned ensemble made up of exceptional vocalists and professional educators from throughout the state. Their mission is to expand the awareness and appreciation of the choral arts in Central Florida and the Southeast by providing community performances of the highest quality.
This program will include music of the church from diverse repertoire and styles, singing simple hymns to elaborate settings of scriptural texts. A new and innovative work by Tarik O’Regan, “Dorchester Canticles,” will bring the music of this young and talented composer together with these amazing musicians for a dramatic demonstration of today’s choral music. The familiar name of Mack Wilberg will be included in the program as the group offers “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need.” Other hymn settings include three arrangements by Leo Nestor: “How Firm a Foundation”; “How Can I Keep From Singing”; and “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Tickets for this concert are $10 for adults and $6 for seniors/students.
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‘LIVE ISSUE' IN CONCERT
July 22, 2009
Since "Live Issue" reformed back in 2006, their unique style of music and ministry has reached a whole new generation across the United Kingdom and America. The band has just released a new album entitled “Makin’ Plans” and in July the group heads off on another tour of the United States, including a concert at First United Methodist Church of Orlando on July 22nd. The five members of this
unassuming Country Gospel band are based just outside Belfast in Northern Ireland. The members of "Live Issue" have become ambassadors not only for Country Music, but also for their Christian faith and everything that is good about the ‘Emerald Isle.’
"Live Issue" comprises of Colin Elliott, Roy Dreaning, Sam Armstrong, Samuel Purdy and Carl Sands. The group is considered by many to be one of the most popular Gospel groups in the British Isles, not only for their musical and singing ability but also for their warmth, humility, sense of humour and love for the Lord. It is clear when you both watch and listen to Live Issue just how much the members of the group love their music, yet more importantly the band believes that the message behind the songs is the most important aspect of their concerts. The group members take their ministry and faith very seriously and believe that God has given them important opportunities to spread the Gospel through their music.
Probably one of the most amazing facts about the members of Live Issue is that they all have day jobs and families which undoubtedly requires some skillful time management in order to fulfill all their commitments and responsibilities throughout the year. The members of the group also see their role in Live Issue as a ministry and therefore any proceeds or expenses the group receive are ploughed straight back into keeping Live Issue on the road.
In December 2008 ‘New Christian Music’ named Live Issue as “Artist of the Year” for the second consecutive year in the Country Gospel category. During Live Issue’s last US tour in 2007 they were special guests on the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree in Nashville. This year however they are co-hosting this program which is the second longest running music radio show in the world, second only to the Grand Ole Opry itself. During the 2007 visit Live Issue shared the stage with Country legends such as David Frizzell, Joanne Cash and Jimmy Fortune, from the Statler Brothers, and their live performances in Nashville were broadcast across the world on WSM Radio and Music City Television.
Live Issue is considered by many to be one of the most popular Gospel groups in the British Isles, not only for their musical and singing ability but also for their warmth, humility, sense of humour and love for the Lord. This is clear both in their music and to anyone who has had the opportunity to see the group play live.
It is clear when you both watch and listen to Live Issue just how much the members of the group love their music, yet more importantly the band believes that the message behind the songs is the most important aspect of their concerts. The group members take their ministry and faith very seriously and believe that God has given them important opportunities to spread the Gospel through their music. [an excerp from press release]. For further information on Live Issue visit www.liveissue.ik.com
The concert is free and a freewill offering will be taken.
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Worship With The Masters
8:00 pm. Tuesday, July 14, 2009
    
Beethoven |
Brahms |
Haydn |
Mendelssohn |
Mozart |
The Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church has been given a prestigious invitation to be a part of the National Convocation of The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts on July 14, 2009. The “Fellowship” is a professional organization for church musicians, pastors and worship artists (dance, visual, drama) from all areas of the country and from many different denominations. Every other year the “Fellowship” offers a national workshop for its members to polish there artistic or preaching skills at lectures and in creative classes. In addition, two worship services are planned each day with outstanding national leadership and innovative design. The evening worship is a high point in the convocation experience.
Our Chancel Choir will provide the musical leadership for the convocation on Tuesday evening, July 14 in a worship/concert that will highlight great choruses from master composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Haydn and Mendelssohn. This worship/concert will be the first time in the 54 year history of the “Fellowship” that a full orchestra will be present to accompany the choir and congregation. The addition of the orchestra will give us all the experience of hearing the music as it was conceived by these great musical geniuses. The second half of the service will be “music of the people” - a presentation of great hymns of faith in majestic settings for brass and full orchestra. “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “Praise to the Lord,” and “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” are some of the titles of the hymns arranged by Mack Wilberg and John Rutter.
Please join us for this festival worship experience. The service begins at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. Our Chancel Choir and members of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will provide beloved choruses from the masters, creative liturgies will inspire us and Safiyah Fosua, Director of Preaching for the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church, will give a short homily. The service is free to the congregation and community and sponsored by the “Friends of Music.” Below is a list of the beloved choruses from sacred oratorios.
“How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place” |
Johannes Brahms |
“Hallelujah” |
Ludwig van Beethoven |
“The Heavens Are Telling” |
Franz Josepf Haydn |
“He, Watching Over Israel” |
Felix Mendelssohn |
“Laudate Dominum” |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart |
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West Orange High School
Choral Department
May 22, 2009
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The Orlando Choral
Gregory Ruffer, Music Director
Rutter Requiem
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Orlando Chorale closes its 7th season with beautiful music by beloved composer John Rutter. Join us for an amazing program on Sunday afternoon, May 17:
Requiem -- John Rutter
Te Deum -- John Rutter
Regina Coeli -- W.A. Mozart
On Green Mountains -- Steve Danyew WORLD PREMIERE
The Orlando Chorale is joined by Dr. John T. Lowe, Jr. on organ and Los Angeles-based soprano Robyn Frey-Monell. The Rutter Requiem is destined to be one of your most favorite choral works!
The Orlando Chamber Singers will present the WORLD PREMIERE of On Green Mountains by award-winning composer Steve Danyew, who will be in the audience for the concert. The Chamber Singers will also present Rutter's Te Deum and Mozart's Regina Coeli.
In this time of limited entertainment funds, consider one of the least expensive ($5 to $20) and most beautiful options you have for the weekend. Please join us on SUNDAY, MARCH 17 at 3:00 pm. Mark your calendars! Tickets can be purchased online by visiting the Red Chair Project website: www.redchairproject.com.
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Festival Singers of Florida
Valentine's Day Concert
February 14, 2009
The Festival Singers of Florida will conclude their inaugural season by a Valentine’s Day performance: “Songs of Love and Laughter” February 14, 2009 at 7:30 PM. The group will be performing Kahn’s “Sommerabend”, as well as other pieces by Whitacre, Stroope, Guillame, and many others. The Festival Singers of Florida is a highly select, auditioned choral ensemble consisting of women and men from throughout Florida. Several advocates of choral music have joined together to create a choir that will serve singers and patrons of Central Florida. Dr. Kevin Fenton serves as the ensemble’s conductor. The Mission Statement of the Festival Singers of Florida is “To provide an artistic outlet for outstanding singers of Florida and to provide the people of Central Florida with performances of the highest quality.”
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Saint Olaf Choir Concert
Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
In the Church Sanctuary
The Saint. Olaf Choir from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota will present a concert in our sanctuary on Wednesday evening, February 4, at 7:30 p.m. The choir is regarded as one of the finest vocal ensembles in the world and establishes the standards by which all choirs are measured. First United Methodist is proud to be one of the choir’s chosen concert venues which also include Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the White House. Tickets for the concert are available online at stolaftickets.com.
More interesting information about the choir can be found at
http://www.stolaf.edu/music/stolaf_choir/.
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page updated
June 17, 2010
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