Bach Charlotte Winterfest

                   

St. Mark’s hosted Bach Charlotte’s inaugural “Winterfest”, January 28-30. For three nights, we were treated to world-class musicians, featuring, Aisslinn Nosky, violin; Guy Fishman, cello; Ian Watson, organ and harpsichord; Heather Miller Lardin, bass; Esther Jeehae Ahn, piano; Emi Ferguson, flute; Arwen Myers, soprano; MaryRuth Miller, soprano; and many others. The program titles were: (1/28) “Armida Abandoned: Handel’s Dramatic Cantatas”; (1/29) “The Romantic Response”; and (1/30) ”The Flute and the Cantata Tradition.” Sadly, because of an unprecedented snowstorm, the January 31 Organ Recital with Lester Ackerman was postponed to June 7 as part of the Charlotte Bach Festival. St. Mark’s is pleased to host this event for the Charlotte community!

            

 

Carolina Pro Musica

          

On February 27, Carolina Pro Musica performed a marvelous Baroque program titles “An Italian Souvenir,” featuring works by Isabella Leonarda, Antonio Vivaldi, Antonio Lotti, Gio. Antonio Pandolfi Mealli, Tomaso Albinoni, and Tarquino Merula. The centerpiece instrument of the evening was a long-necked cousin of the lute known as the “theorbo,” played by visiting musician, William Simms.

              

And on Friday, March 20, Carolina Pro Musica offered a program titled, “Celebrating America 250!” consisting of music from the colonial period. Musical compositions showed a strong British colonial influence, for example notable selections were, “Rule Britannia!” by Thomas Arne and “God Save the Thirteen States” (to the tune of God Save the King). In addition, the hymn “When Jesus Wept” by William Billings and Handel’s “King George’s March” reflected this Anglo-American period. Music was performed by Karen Jacob, harpsichord; Andrew Mahon, bass-baritone; Sung Lee, baroque flue, recorder; Janelle Davis, baroque violin, cello. Photos courtesy of John Jacob.

               

 

Queen City Ringers

On Sunday 4/26, the Queen City Ringers offered a spring concert titled, “A Brighter Tomorrow,” which featured a complex and diverse program of music. Bells were played in a variety of styles, and one of them using a “Bell Tree” which can be clearly seen in the photo at the bottom right. We are honored that the Queen City Ringers calls St. Mark’s “home.”

               

 

Bach Charlotte Festival

             

St. Mark’s is pleased to be a Community Partner for the Bach Charlotte Festival. Four evening concerts were hosted by St. Mark’s, each drawing about 200 persons per night. We are especially thankful to Executive Director, Garrett Murphy, for his visionary and collegial leadership in partnering with St. Mark’s, a partnership that continues to create new circles of friendship around our church with the wider Charlotte community.

       

Lester Ackerman presented his rescheduled organ recital (postponed due to snow).