St. Mark’s Church announces 2 Concerts to be held in May
Free Concerts are part of an ongoing Concert series at St. Mark’s, on West Street in Pittsfield. The public is invited to 2 varied and enjoyable hour-long programs in May. Each program is presented by area Musicians. Programs are at no cost for admission. Light receptions follow.The music programs are to celebrate St. Mark’s Feast Day of April 25, Spring in general, the refurbishment of the 1931 Kilgen Organ, with its new Organ Console, as well as the restoration and installation of the 1920’s Kranich and Bach Grand piano played from the side altar.
The Public is invited, Free-will Offering will benefit the Organ Fund at St. Mark’s and a light reception will be held following the programs to greet the musicians.
Sunday May 4 at 3pm - “Nice Spring Music in a Great Space”
Presented by local musicians, flutes, singers and Organ. And done for the fun of it…
A Community Chorus of singers, the Berkshire Music School’s Flute Ensemble, directed by Sharon Powers, Soloists Dyann Arduini and Fr. Paul Bombardier, piano accompaniment, and piano solo. Hymns for all to sing will be included in the program. Jeff Hunt, Director, is the Organist at St. Mark’s Church.
Sunday May 18 at 3pm. A “Bach and Beyond” Organ Solo Concert, will be played by Charles Olegar, Organist of St. James’ Church in Great Barrington. Mr. Olegar will present a program from his popular Organ Series based at St. James. The performers’ narration and a video feed of the console will add a new dimension to the experience. Mr. Olegar was thrilled to hear the acoustics at St. Mark’s and has been collaborating with Jeff Hunt, Organist at St. Mark’s to create a concert series that will bring “Great Music to this Great Space!”
These concerts celebrate St. Mark’s pride in the instruments and in the church building itself, and are an untapped resource in the world of the Arts in the Berkshires. As a large Gothic-style Church with outstanding acoustics and architectural detail, St. Mark’s is one of the best sites for music of all kinds. Over time, the concert series will exhibit a wide range of musical styles to appeal to all types of music lovers.
If you haven’t experienced music at St. Mark’s, now’s your chance.
It is the organizers’ hope that young people might become interested in a career in music performance or at least a life of music enjoyment after having attended programs such as ours. The church music program has many opportunities for volunteers.
A Patriotic Organ Music Concert will be held in July, in which Mr. Hunt will join Mr. Olegar at the Organ, and a second Charles Olegar “Bach and Beyond” program will be held on September 21.
For more information, please contact Jeff Hunt at 499-7320 or at Jeffcomusic1@aol.com.
St. Mark’s Church also has a website at www.Stmark-church.com
