first presbyterian church
23|24 A DELIGHT FOR THE SENSES
WELCOME FRIENDS
Glorious music has always been an integral part of First Presbyterian’s ministry to the greater community and a primary way that we worship, love, and serve our Lord Jesus Christ. With a creative lineup of events - including musical guests from near and far, several of our annual musical traditions, greatly anticipated masterpieces, plus a new side-by-side holiday concert and a tasting concert - this promises to be a season which delights the senses. The music program at First Presbyterian Church, with its roster of talented choirs, artists in residence, and considerable musical offerings, is a valued ministry of our community. To bring world-class music to Tyler and this community, we rely on your generosity. Please consider supporting our offerings with your presence and, if possible, by making a contribution in the attached envelope. We look forward to seeing you soon at First Presbyterian Church!
Weston J. Jennings Director of Music and Organist First Presbyterian Church 2 | fpctyler.com/finearts
MUSIC FOR ROYAL OCCASIONS Friday, November 10, 2023 | 7:30 PM Sanctuary | Free Admission J As principal organist for the daily services and state occasions at Westminster Abbey, including the recent funerals of HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, as well as the coronation of King Charles III, Peter Holder has held the post of Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey since October 2017. As a recitalist, he performs in cathedrals and concert halls across the world. Following his BBC Proms solo debut in 2019 performing Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass, Ivan Hewett, writing for The Daily Telegraph, remarked that '…it was Peter Holder’s wild organ solo which stole the show.' Experience musical memories of these iconic British occasions performed on the grand Casavant pipe organ by acclaimed organist Peter Holder.
Peter Holder, organ
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CONDUCTOR’S CHOICE Sunday, November 12, 2023 | 3 PM Sanctuary | $25 adults 4 Students and Children Free Admission J The Tyler Civic Chorale begins its 56th season by welcoming Richard Lee to the podium as its new artistic director! From Mozart’s charming “Short” Mass in D to Vivaldi’s iconic and stirring Gloria, the Chorale’s first concert with Mr. Lee at the helm includes a diverse collection of choral favorites. Other works included in the program are Mozart’s moving and well-known Ave verum corpus and Pergolesi’s (or more likely Durante’s) ebullient setting of the Magnificat (Mary’s Song of Praise) from the New Testament.
Tyler Civic Chorale with Chamber Orchestra Richard Lee, artistic director
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BEETHOVEN’S JOY AND SORROW Tuesday, December 5, 2023 | 7:30 PM Sanctuary | Free Admission J Although commonly referred to as ‘violin sonatas,’ Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonatas for Pianoforte and Violin, as he called them, put the violin and piano on equal footing in a way never before heard. This concert features two of his sonatas, namely the 7th and 8th, each capturing the relentless passions of Beethoven’s middle period. Here to bring these works to life are two of Belgium’s leading young musicians: violinist Jolente de Maeyer and pianist Nikolaas Kende. Praised for their 'symbiotic playing', 'pervasive lyricism' and their 'powerful yet poetic playing', the De Maeyer - Kende duo is being recognized as one of the leading musical duos in Europe. Jolente De Maeyer, violin Nikolaas Kende, piano
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HOLIDAY CELEBRATION SIDE-BY-SIDE CONCERT Saturday, December 16, 2023 | 3 PM Sanctuary | Free Admission J Tickets Reservations Required, available at www.newtxsinfonia.com You won’t want to miss this joyous holiday concert featuring New Texas Sinfonia alongside talented East Texas youth musicians! A side-by-side concert is an exceptional opportunity for young instrumentalists to sit beside and learn from seasoned professionals as they all present fun and exciting music to warm your heart this holiday season. Plan to arrive early to enjoy visual art by local artists in the narthex.
New Texas Sinfonia Regional youth/collegiate musicians Weston Jennings, conductor
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ANNUAL JAZZ BRUNCH Sunday, January 28, 2024 | 12:15 PM Fellowship Hall | Suggested $20 Donation : Please RSVP by Tuesday, January 23rd to reserve your seats! The unique rhythmic language of jazz encapsulates something essentially human, at once championing both the individual and the collective. Celebrate this rich musical history with us at our annual jazz brunch. As always, this event promises to be a feast for the senses.
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CHOCOLATS SYMPHONIQUES Friday, February 16, 2024 | 7:30 PM Saturday, February 17, 2024 | 3 PM Sanctuary | $20 adults 4 Students and Children Free Admission J Imagine a piece of music in which each movement evokes one of four delicious chocolate flavors! Chocolats symphoniques by Canadian composer Maxime Goulet is exactly that: a tasting concert with live orchestra that is sure to delight! Ludwig van Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, which he described as his “most excellent symphony,” stands alongside Sergei Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony in a program that explores many aspects of the symphonic sound. *Chocolates to enjoy during the second half of the concert will be available for sale during intermission.
New Texas Sinfonia Weston Jennings, conductor 8 | fpctyler.com/finearts
FANFARE! Thursday, February 29, 2024 | 7:30 pm Sanctuary | Free Admission J Hear East Texas’ largest pipe organ as it joins with the colossal sounds of brass and percussion for a thrilling performance. The program features both original works for organ, brass, and percussion, as well as inventive arrangements of crowd favorites of the organ repertoire, including Charles-Marie Widor’s Toccata from Symphony No. 5.
Brass and Percussion Ensemble Weston Jennings, organ A DELIGHT FOR THE SENSES | 9
2023 | 2024 SEASON 2023 | OCTOBER Music Dedication Sunday Sunday, October 22, 2023 | 10 AM NOVEMBER Music for Royal Occasions Peter Holder, organ Friday, November 10, 2023 | 7:30 PM J Conductor’s Choice Tyler Civic Chorale with Chamber Orchestra Sunday, November 12, 2023 | 3 pm 4 Voices of Faith Fall Concert Friday, November 17, 2023 | 7 PM J DECEMBER Beethoven’s Joy and Sorrow Jolente De Maeyer and Nikolaas Kende, violin & piano duo Tuesday, December 5, 2023 | 7:30 PM J Holiday Fiddle Zoo for Kids Members of New Texas Sinfonia and Guests Saturday, December 16, 2023 | 10-11:30 am J Fellowship Hall Holiday Celebration Side-by-Side Concert New Texas Sinfonia, chamber orchestra Regional youth/collegiate musicians Saturday, December 16, 2023 | 3 PM J 4 Family Crèche Service Sunday, December 24, 2023 | 3 PM 52nd Annual Moravian Lovefeast Sunday, December 24, 2023 | 5:30 PM 2024 | JANUARY Annual Jazz Brunch Sunday, January 28, 2024 | 12:15 PM : Fellowship Hall FEBRUARY Chocolats Symphoniques New Texas Sinfonia, chamber orchestra Friday, February 16, 2024 | 7:30 PM 4 Saturday, February 17, 2024 | 3 PM 4
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A DELIGHT FOR THE SENSES Fiddle Zoo for Kids Members of New Texas Sinfonia and Guests Saturday, February 17, 2024 | 10-11:30 am J Fellowship Hall Fanfare! Brass and Percussion Ensemble Weston Jennings, organ Thursday, February 29, 2024 | 7:30 pm J MARCH Happy Birthday, Bach! Weston Jennings, organ & harpsichord Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 7:30 PM J Easter Day Celebrations Sunday, March 31, 2024 | 10 AM APRIL Voices of Faith Spring Concert Friday, April 5, 2024 | 7 PM J Choral Waltzes and Polkas Tyler Civic Chorale Sunday, April 14, 2024 | 3 PM 4 Darkness to Light The Tallis Scholars, early music vocal ensemble Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | 7:30 PM J Kirkin’ of the Tartans Fort Worth Scottish Pipes and Drums Sunday, April 28, 2024 | 10 AM MAY Appalachian Spring New Texas Sinfonia, chamber orchestra Friday, May 31, 2024 | 7:30 PM 4 JUNE Fiddle Zoo for Kids Members of New Texas Sinfonia and Guests Saturday, June 1, 2024 | 10-11:30 am J Fellowship Hall Appalachian Spring New Texas Sinfonia, chamber orchestra Saturday, June 1, 2024 | 3 PM 4 Free Admission J
Ticketed Event 4
Donation : 903.597.6317 | 11
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BACH! Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 7:30 PM Sanctuary | Free Admission J "If Beethoven is a prodigy of man, Bach is a miracle of God.” ~ Gioachino Rossini Often regarded as the greatest composer of Western classical music, Johann Sebastian Bach and his compositions have captured the hearts and minds of humankind for centuries. This concert features a diverse selection of his masterpieces for both pipe organ and harpsichord performed by FPC’s Director of Music and Organist, Weston Jennings.
Weston Jennings, organ and harpsichord
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CHORAL WALTZES AND POLKAS Sunday, April 14, 2024 | 3 PM Sanctuary | $25 adults 4 Students and Children Free Admission J Join the Tyler Civic Chorale and conductor, Richard Lee, for an afternoon of delightful waltzes and polkas sure to put a bounce in your step. The Chorale’s final event of the season begins with Johannes Brahms’ first set of “love song waltzes,” Liebeslieder-Walzer. These charming choral waltzes incorporate light-hearted poetry and folk songs about love, sure to entertain and inspire. Though Johannes Brahms did not write many waltzes, his fondness for them is evident in these enchanting works. The celebration continues with the Liebeslieder Polkas of P.D.Q. Bach, the alter-ego of Peter Schickele. These polkas are an extremely light-hearted attempt to honor Brahms and his original waltzes, so extreme that it would be perfectly acceptable to giggle during the polkas! It is astonishing how contrasting yet somehow similar these two works are. Tyler Civic Chorale Richard Lee, artistic director
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DARKNESS TO LIGHT Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | 7:30 PM Sanctuary | Free Admission J Over four decades of performance and a catalogue of award-winning recordings for Gimell, Peter Phillips and The Tallis Scholars have done more than any other group to establish sacred vocal music of the Renaissance as one of the great repertoires of Western classical music. They have sought to bring Renaissance works to a wider audience in churches, cathedrals and venues on every continent on the planet except Antarctica! These include the Royal Albert Hall, the Sistine Chapel, the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall New York, the Philharmonic Hall Berlin, Saint Mark's Venice, Seoul Arts Centre Korea, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre London, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Wigmore Hall, Beijing Concert Hall, Megaron Athens and the Opera House Sydney. It is a delight to have them return to Tyler for what promises to be another highlight in the history of this series. The Tallis Scholars Peter Phillips, director 14 | fpctyler.com/finearts
KIRKIN’ OF THE TARTANS Sunday, April 28, 2024 | 10 AM Sanctuary | Free Admission J A procession of tartan plaid and bagpipes celebrates First Presbyterian Church’s Scottish heritage and is an annual tradition for the congregation. Join us as special guest musicians, the Fort Worth Scottish Pipes and Drums, return to lead the celebration.
Fort Worth Scottish Pipes and Drums Jim Gibson, pipe major
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APPALACHIAN SPRING Friday, May 31, 2024 | 7:30 PM Saturday, June 1, 2024 | 3 PM Sanctuary | $20 adults 4 Students and Children Free Admission J New Texas Sinfonia concludes the season with one of Aaron Copland’s most celebrated works: Appalachian Spring. Originally composed for leading choreographer Martha Graham in 1944, it has been an American classic ever since. Appalachian Spring follows the lives of a young pioneer couple starting their life together on the spacious frontier. Aaron Copland’s uniquely American sound captures the struggles and joys of their young love, and represents the promise of a new beginning. “To be great, art... must belong to the country in which it flourishes, not be a pale copy of some art form perfected by another culture and another people.” ~ Martha Graham New Texas Sinfonia Weston Jennings, conductor 16 | fpctyler.com/finearts
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE First Presbyterian Church hosts the rehearsals and performances of numerous musical ensembles, providing a beautiful space for the community to practice and experience the musical arts.
tylercivicchorale.org VOICES OF FAITH https://vofchoir-30747.firebaseapp.com
newtxsinfonia.com 833.937.8661
STAY IN TOUCH
First Presbyterian Church 230 W. Rusk St. Tyler, TX 75701
903.597.6317 finearts@fpctyler.com fpctyler.com/finearts facebook.com/fineartsfpc http://instagram.com/fine_arts_at_fpc
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KEEP THE MUSIC ALIVE Over the years, your generosity and commitment have sustained Fine Arts @ First Presbyterian Church as a vibrant space for the arts in East Texas. While most concerts are offered free of charge, none of them are without expense. Hosting guest artists, maintaining this beautiful space, coordinating Artists in Residence, getting the word out - all of these efforts require resources. Consider what these offerings have meant to you - from a musical, cultural or spiritual standpoint - and consider making a gift today. Your contributions help this series continue to flourish as a living tradition of fine music-making.
HELP US KEEP THE MUSIC ALIVE. USE THE ENVELOPE IN THE CENTERFOLD TO DONATE TODAY.
SEATING & TICKETS Seats are offered on a first come, first served basis. All Sanctuary seating is in pews. The majority of concerts are free and open to the public. For ticketed concerts, purchase tickets at the door or in advance. Ticket purchase information with concerts in this brochure, where applicable. PARKING Free parking is available in two parking lots at FPC: on the south side of Fellowship Hall and another east of the main building. Designated handicap parking is available in the upper portion of the south lot near Fellowship Hall. Please do not park at the local businesses surrounding the church. CHILDREN Older children are welcome at our concerts, however if they become noisy or unsettled, please quietly exit the Sanctuary in order not to disturb other concert goers. Except for events taking place on Sunday mornings, a nursery is not provided during concerts.
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MORE FPC MUSIC The Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church welcome musicians of all skill levels and backgrounds to join us in glorifying God. Learn about joining us at fpctyler.com/music. CHILDREN’S CHOIRS The Carol Choir (preK-1st grade) teaches basic music reading skills and singing technique, as well as tenets of Reformed music and worship. The Covenant Choir (grades 2-6) helps older children and youth develop choral technique and leadership, while providing an opportunity to learn their faith through song. Both groups contribute to worship throughout the school year. ADULT ENSEMBLES The Chancel Choir leads worship with a musical variety ranging from the great anthems of the Reformation and choral masterworks, to hymn-based anthems and more modern musical settings. The Carillon Hand bell Choir and PentaBronze ring often during worship, utilizing a five-octave set of Malmark handbells. PIPE ORGAN First Presbyterian’s sanctuary pipe organ - the largest in East Texas - was built in 2000 by Casavant Frères. The four-manual and pedal console controls a diverse range of timbres, including beautiful flutes, rich diapasons, a variety of reed tone, and a generous number of lush strings and celestes.
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