Music at Abington Calendar of Events
2013-2014 42nd Anniversary Season
Up Next: Movie Night with Organ Accompaniment
July 1, Tuesday evening, 7:30 p.m.
Join us for a special summer Movie Night program for fun for all ages! Enjoy organist Paul Fleckenstein as he underscores the humor, surprise, and drama of classic silent short films starring Laurel & Hardy and Buster Keaton.
2013-2014 42nd Anniversary Complete Season
October 18, Friday, 8:00 p.m.
Jim Ridl Jazz Trio
Following a brilliant program for Music at Abington two years ago, fans have been requesting a return appearance. Jim Ridl is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, teacher and internationally-known performer, who will bring the newest creative compositions and improvisations of the Jim Ridl Trio to Abington.
November 8, Friday, 7:00 p.m. Pre-concert Conversation with Kile Smith and John Sall
8:00 p.m. Concert
Beauty, Light, and Revelation
Abington Symphony Orchestra and Oratorio Choir
John Sall leads the Abington Symphony Orchestra and Oratorio Choir in a program which reflects on beauty, inspiration, and wisdom. The music features Brahms's Nänie and Kile Smith's Symphony: Lumen ad revelationem and includes separate works for strings and winds to highlight the remarkable quality of talent found here in our community of players.
December 15, Sunday, 4:30 & 7:00p.m.
Christmas by Candlelight: See the Star!
An celebrated annual tradition for the performers and the community, Christmas by Candlelight features the the children, youth and adult choirs, orchestra, bells, organ, and the community singing Christmas favorites accompanied by a candlelight procession.
January 25, Saturday, 3:00 p.m. [snow date Jan. 26, 3:00p.m.]
Latin Fiesta - A Special Family Event
The Latin Fiesta ensemble is acclaimed for crossover concerts and educational programs. Led by award-winning perfomers Maria del Pico Taylor, Cuban born pianist, and Raymond Taylor, English born violinist, the group also includes Latin percussion, flute, bass, singer and Latin/Flamenco dancer. The unorthodox composition of this ensemble lends itself to exciting and versatile concerts shifting from a hot salsa tune to a classical work by Albeniz and then a contemporary Latin version of a Baroque Concerto Grosso or a recently-commissioned piece. Bring a young listener to share in this joyful music!
March 2, Sunday, 4:00p.m.
John Ferguson Hymn Festival, "Our Hope for Years to Come"
Composer, organist, and improviser John Ferguson will help mark the completion of the APC organ project and the new hymnal, Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal, with one of his signature hymn festival events. A Ferguson hymn festival is much more than hymn-sing or organ recital; it is a musical celebration which includes everyone present making music together! The hymn festival will include musicians from all the choirs of APC, a new anthem commissioned from Helen Kemp for children’s choir premiered at the festival and the voices of the gathered community!
March 16, Sunday, 10:00a.m. & 4:00p.m.
Organ Restoration Campaign Celebration
Rededication Festival Worship
The 10:00a.m. service of worship with APC's Ethel Geist at the organ will officially place the 1969/2013 Möller back into service following major refurbishing and tonal improvements by Robert Gladden & Associates. The voices of congregation and choirs will, of course, join the celebration!
Rededication Recital
A 4:00p.m. dedication recital by Alan Morrison will crown this day of celebration. Head of the organ departments at both the Curtis Institute of Music and Westminster Choir College, this local performer is world-renowned as a solo and concerto artist at the organ and piano. The program includes a world premiere from composer Kile Smith commissioned for the occasion!
March 23, Sunday, 4:00p.m.
Annual Memorial Concert: The Creation by Haydn
John Sall leads the Abington Symphony Orchestra and Oratorio Choir in an annual memorial tribute concert joined by Ruth Ideen, soprano, Roy Hage, tenor, and Andrew Bogard, bass-baritone. An enduring favorite in the oratorio literature, The Creation is the evocative and life-affirming setting Haydn composed to bring the drama of the creation narrative to life.
April 6, Sunday, 4:00p.m.
Harmonia V
Harmonia V Woodwind Quintet is an innovative professional quintet from Connecticut. This group of accomplished musicians is dedicated to performing the best standard literature, seldom-heard treasures, and the freshest contemporary music available today. Each member draws upon over 20 years of chamber music experience and believes that the audience should be entertained as well as enlightened. Audiences of all ages will enjoy Harmonia V’s refreshing approach to virtuosity and nuance, exposing them to a new world of sound, color and emotion.
April 18, Good Friday, 2:00p.m.
The Tale of the Three Trees, by Allen Pote and Tom S. Long
The Children’s Choirs of APC, under the direction of Ruth Ideen-Sall, will lead a special Good Friday service. In addition to leadership roles within a service marking this holy day of reflection the children will present The Tale of the Three Trees. Based on an American folk tale, this musical by Allen Pote and Tom S. Long tells the story of Jesus’s life in an imaginative way which captures the imagination of listeners of all ages.
May 4, Sunday, 7:00p.m.
Chapel Choir Homecoming
The talented youth of APC’s Chapel Choir return home from their 300th Anniversary Year Tour to share highlights of this year’s musical offerings in a special concert setting.
May 16, Friday
7:00p.m. Pre-concert Conversation with John Sall
8:00p.m. Concert
Abington Symphony Orchestra and Oratorio Choir: Time Capsule 1714-2014
Featuring Ethel Geist, organ, the Chapel Youth Choir, Katie Young, soprano, Joanna Gates, alto, Stephen Ng, tenor, Jackson Williams, bass, John Sall, conductor
John Sall leads the Abington Symphony Orchestra and Oratorio Choir through a musical time capsule program. Designed as a special celebration honoring the 300th Anniversary year at Abington Presbyterian Church, the program begins with Bach's exuberant Cantata composed in May of 1714, Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! (Resound, ye songs, ring out, ye strings!),