Illuminating Lives through Music
2024 - 2025
Welcome!
We are thrilled and honored to share this exciting program for the 2024-25 season, designed to delight audiences and to connect us as a community. The programs reflect a wide array of musical options spanning sacred music, classical and jazz masterpieces, and beloved melodies from the Great American Songbook. At the heart of it all are our talented resident and guest musicians who offer artistic excellence, technical expertise, and extraordinary passion whether performing cherished classics or introducing listeners to works that are less familiar. Whatever your musical taste might be, we’ve got a performance for you!
This coming season we celebrate and draw inspiration from the parish’s patron saint, King Louis IX and his crowning achievement, Paris’s Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel). The theme “Illuminating Lives through Music” focuses attention on the glory of SainteChapelle, the stained-glass windows. The opening and closing concerts in particular are anchored by the stained-glass theme, which also serves as the common thread that takes us from the moment the first note is played to the final bows. Just as the light that shines through the chapel’s windows envelops visitors with warmth and awakens the senses, we hope that our music will instill in audiences a sense of joy and bring us closer together as a community—illuminating our collective lives.
As the St. Louis Church Concert Series ushers in and celebrates its 19th year of incredible performances, we extend continuing thanks and gratitude for our patrons. It is your appreciation for our music and financial donations that make our work possible. We truly could not exist without your support. Please join us so that we may travel together on an unforgettable journey toward the 20th anniversary of the Concert Series!
With deepest gratitude and warmest wishes,
Colleen Daly Eberhardt
Artistic Director, St. Louis Church Concert Series
feat. Nicholas Bowden, Charles Higgs, & Kelli Young
August 25 | 4 p.m.
St . Louis Chu rc h
Our opening concert pays loving tribute to the parish’s patron saint on his feast day. The program takes the audience on a journey through France, weaving together sacred music, hymns, and other musical genres with writings and teachings of Louis IX, France’s only canonized king. Organists Charles Higgs and Nick Bowden and pianist Isaiah Shim perform alongside dynamic solo and ensemble voices. Prepare to be swept away by this regal and awe-inspiring program!
Celebrate in Harmony
Nicholas Bowden is Director of Music and Organist at Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. He enjoys a national reputation as a church musician and an organist, having performed at a wide array of venues across 38 states and 7 countries. Mr. Bowden has been featured on some of the world’s great organs including: St. Paul’s Cathedral (London), The Crystal Cathedral (Los Angeles), The US Naval Academy (Annapolis), Grace Cathedral (San Francisco), the Wanamaker Organ (Macy’s, Philadelphia), St. Thomas, Fifth Av., (New York), The Soldier’s and Sailor’s War Memorial Auditorium (Chattanooga), and the Fox Theatre (Atlanta).
Charles Higgs, organist, is a native of Clarksville, Maryland. He was appointed Associate Organist at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Mr. Higgs was responsible for accompanying the chancel choir, directing the Junior Chorister Choir, and he was primary organist of the 2000-member congregation. As a recitalist, Charles has performed at several venues, including St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Peachtree Road United Methodist, Peachtree Presbyterian, St. Philips Cathedral, Atlanta, The Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., Princeton University Chapel in Princeton, NJ., and recently at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Currently he serves as Director of Music and Organist at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Milton, GA, where he facilitates an active, dynamic and growing music ministry.
Some of Kelli Young’s performing credits include guest soloist with the Columbia Orchestra, the premier of the dance work “String Theory” at the Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland which featured aerial art, spoken word and original music. In direct collaboration with James Rich, she directed and performed in the premiers of two of his new musical works entitled Blink and There Was a Boy. She has collaborated with and sung for such greats as composer Marvin Hamlisch and Grammy Award winner Bobby McFerrin at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. She toured mainland China with members of Washington National Opera and Camerata Philadelphia. She is the featured vocalist with the Big Bang Jazz Band, and a regularly featured artist at the International Women’s Brass Conference annual Holiday Brass Concert in Baltimore. She is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music and The Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
ON THE
September 22 | 4 p.m. Clarksville Commons
Experience an afternoon that highlights jazz music in our third collaboration with Clarksville Commons and launches a partnership with the Howard County Public School System. Vocalist and pianist Sara Jones and the Centennial High School Jazz Band share the stage in this free outdoor concert. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a relaxing, hour-long musical break with us!
Jazz vocalist Sara Jones, the first place winner of the Billie Holiday Vocal Competition and semi-finalist in the American Traditions Competition, has toured 49 states and performed in numerous concert halls across the country. Jones has performed as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and Ravinia Festival Orchestra, under the batons of Emil de Cou and Erich Kunzel. In the Baltimore/Washington area, Jones was a featured vocalist with the Jazz Ambassadors and has graced the stages of the Hippodrome Theater, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Strathmore Mansion, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. After graduation, she chose to pursue a professional vocal career with the Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, where she served for six years. Now a civilian, Jones maintains an active performing schedule and has recently released her debut CD, Daydream A Little on Petite Musique Records. A collection of beloved jazz standards and bossa novas, it features Jones and major Brazilian Jazz Group, Trio Da Paz. Jones’ schedule can be found on her website, sarajones.com.
David Matchim was appointed Director of Bands at Centennial High School in the fall of 2011. Under his leadership, the band program has flourished, growing in enrollment and earning local, state, and national recognition. All three concert bands have consistently received unanimous “superior” ratings at the Howard County Band Assessments. The band program received national recognition when the Centennial High School Wind Ensemble became the first high school concert band from Maryland since 1973 to perform at The Midwest Clinic. Mr. Matchim’s dedication to music education has earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Howard County Parents for School Music Educator of the Year Award, the Howard County Arts Council Outstanding Arts Educator of the Year Award, the Maryland Music Educators Association Outstanding Music Educator Award, the Yamaha National “40 under 40” Music Educator Award, and the Music & Arts National Music Teacher of the Year Award. He is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University.
The Centennial High School is based in Ellicott City, Maryland, is a group of dedicated and talented young musicians under the direction of David Matchim. Known for its consistent performances and commitment to excellence, the band has consistently placed in the top five at national jazz competitions and festivals, including the renowned Berklee High School and National Jazz Festivals. The ensemble is comprised of students who are not only passionate about music but also excel in other areas. Many members are scholars, academics, athletes, and more, showcasing their diverse talents and interests. Graduates of the Centennial High School band program have gone on to attend some of the top music schools in the country, reflecting the strong musical and artistic foundation they receive at Centennial.
Symphony of Keys
The virtuosity and talents of Asriel Davis and Isaiah Shim are on full display in this brilliant program that meshes works from the classical repertoire with improvisational numbers. Prepare to be mesmerized as the fingers of these supremely gifted musicians fly over the piano and organ keys, demonstrating their incredible technique, creativity, and artistry, in addition to the versatility of the instruments.
Feat . Asriel Davis & Isaiah S him October 25 | 7 p.m.
Asriel Davis is a recent graduate of Syracuse University where he received his Masters of Music in Organ Performance. He studied under Wayne Bucknor at Oakwood University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in piano performance. In 2023, The Diapason magazine recognized him as one of 20 outstanding organists under 30 for his achievement in organ performance and sacred music. Having accompanied world-renowned groups such as The Aeolians of Oakwood University and the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers under the direction of Jason Max Ferdinand, he has shown he is equally suitable for performing solo or accompanying vocalists and choirs. With these groups, Asriel has traveled the nation and around the world playing organs and accompanying. He has played in Europe, South Africa, the Bahamas, and elsewhere. His skill set is vast and varied, ranging from Baroque to modern-era music. With his dedication, he continues to make waves in the music world. Whether performing solo or collaborating with other musicians, his passion for music is undeniable, and his future is bright.
Conductor and keyboardist Isaiah Shim currently serves as Assistant Conductor of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and Columbia Pro Cantare, as well as Organist at St Louis Church. Concerts in the region have been with the Annapolis Opera, Baltimore Chamber and Symphony Orchestras, Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras, Montgomery Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, and Young Artists of America as well as performances in countries of four continents. Mr. Shim received graduate degrees in conducting and collaborative piano from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University under the mentorship of Marin Alsop, Joseph Young, and Eileen Cornett. Additionally, he received Bachelor of Music degrees in piano performance and music education from Wheaton College in Illinois, where he studied with Drs. Karin Redekopp Edwards, Daniel Sommerville, and John William Trotter.
AT ST.LOUIS
December 15 | 4 p.m.
St. Louis Church
Gather your family and friends for one of the most festive and beloved musical holiday traditions in Clarksville. Grammy-award winning soloist Tynan Davis joins St. Louis choral and orchestral ensembles in this resounding program of traditional carols, sacred music, and favorite seasonal melodies.
Please bring a shelf-stable food donation to benefit the HCC Fueling Dragons food pantry.
Meet the Music of St. Louis
The St. Louis Concert Chorus, initially comprising parish adult choir members, first welcomed professional guest vocalists to bolster its numbers and vocal strength, and more recently, singers from neighboring parishes. Over the years, this vibrant ensemble has played a vital part in the Concert Series’ repertoire, presenting a wide range of sacred, classical, and contemporary works.
The Orchestra of St. Louis traces its roots to spring 2015, when it first brought together professional musicians of the highest caliber in the Washington/Baltimore region. Since that time, this superb ensemble has performed at the Concert Series’ Christmas and other large-scale concerts, blending technical prowess, instrumental sonority, and artistic sensitivity to present exhilarating performances.
The Treble Choir has offered opportunities for parish children to demonstrate their talents—often with the Concert Chorus and Orchestra of St. Louis —and to experience the performing arts for more than a decade.
Tynan Davis is a playful vocalist and human. She won a Grammy for Best Opera Recording with Boston Modern Orchestra Project’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, singing a cider-drunk cellar rat named Rita. She’s toured with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the 25th anniversary North American tour of Phantom of the Opera. Her solo jazz album TYNAN is available on most streaming platforms, and is full of happy tunes you’ll know and love. Other favorite musical collaborations include Roomful of Teeth, Cantata Profana, Artefact Ensemble & The All’s Well Sisters Free & Open to the Public
Music director Terry Eberhardt leads these groups of fiercely talented singers and musicians that bring their unique styles and talents to perform all the heartwarming sounds of the season. Our Christmas celebration returns with a diverse program of classic carols, sacred music, holiday favorites, and sparkling seasonal magic. If Christmas at St. Louis isn’t already part of your family’s Yuletide tradition, make it one this year!
Come fly with us back to the golden age of American musical standards and witty tunes by Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Lerner and Loewe, and other legendary musical theater composers and lyricists. Audience favorites
Liz Mulligan and Joe Dausch lead the parade of local vocalists and musicians presenting this treasure trove of beloved songs pulled from the Great American Songbook.
A Broadway Tribute!
Joe Dausch made his stage debut in 1999 as a member of Georgetown University Law Center’s Gilbert & Sullivan Society, performing in their productions of West Side Story (A-Rab), The Mikado (Nanki-Poo), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius). Joe also performed with GULC’s a cappella group - Moral Hazard. For almost 20 years Joe was the lead vocalist for his DC-based band Stella Mira, which performed at the storied 9:30 Club and entertained our men and women in uniform as part of a USO tour. Joe has been a frequent contributor to the St. Louis Church Concert Series Christmas Concert, including as a soloist, and is thrilled to be returning to the series to explore the timeless Great American Songbook.
Originally from Chicago, Liz Mulligan is a versatile, seasoned performer and educator in the DMV. As a proud graduate of Northwestern University’s Theater and Music Theater Certificate programs, Liz has performed with The Chicago Humanities Festival, the Cathedral Choral Society, as soloist with the Clementi Choir, and of course, as a soloist with the St. Louis Church Concert Series. Classically trained with the heart of an actor, Liz loves singing everything from Handel, Bach and Copeland to Jason Robert Brown, Cole Porter, and Soundheim, and firmly believes there should be no barriers or limitations to the genre or style through which we choose to express ourselves through the art of music making. As an active member of the local theater community, Liz has performed with the British Players, Colonial Players of Annapolis, Howard County Summer Theater, Greenbelt Arts Center, Maryland Theater Collective, and, most recently, with Annapolis Summer Garden Theater. Offstage, Liz spends her time teaching Music Together classes in Howard County, volunteering with the PTA, and supporting her family in their many endeavors. Liz has also served as a cantor and choral member with St. Louis Church since 2013.
Alexandra Palting is a performer and award-winning writer based in New York City. Aside from her time as Artist in Residence at The Kennedy Center, other favorite local credits include CATF, Olney Theatre Center, Imagination Stage, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and The Keegan Theatre. She is the performer, writer, lyricist and co-composer of 0874: A Filipino-American Love Story, a one-woman musical that was performed locally at The Kennedy Center, off-Broadway at Connelly Theater, and internationally at the U.S. Consulate in China. She has performed her original music at venues including The Lincoln Theatre and Merriweather Post Pavilion and her career as a singer has taken her from the swing clubs of Baltimore to the Vatican. Her most recent on-camera work can be seen on “Law and Order,” and her most recent voiceover work can be heard at Macmillan Audio. Alex feels so blessed for any chance she has to return to her Catholic home at St. Louis. www.alexandramariapalting.com
Start your observance of Holy Week with a Palm Sunday concert that features “The Seven Last Words of Christ,” a choral setting of the Passion and crucifixion by eminent French composer Théodore Dubois. Guest soloist Metropolitan Opera Baritone Trevor Scheunemann, local parish choirs, and the Chamber Orchestra of St. Louis guide the audience on this deeply moving and intensely spiritual journey.
Praised for his “lovely timbre,” “dramatic timing,” and “rich and gleaming” voice, Trevor Scheunemann has distinguished himself as one of opera’s leading baritones. Mr. Scheunemann’s powerful interpretations of operatic, oratorio, and concert repertoires have earned him roles in major opera houses and concert venues across the United States and worldwide. Performance highlights include multiple appearances as Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Guglielmo in Così fan tutte; as well as the title role in Don Giovanni with L’Opéra de Monte Carlo. Mr. Scheunemann has regularly appeared at The Metropolitan Opera and debuted with the Concert Series in 2021. Awards include Washington National Opera Artist of the Year (2007) and 3rd Place Winner of Placido Domingo’s Operalia (2006).
April 13 | 4 p.m. Free
A versatile conductor, opera soloist, and educator, Terry N. Eberhardt brings these experiences and unmistakable charisma to bear on providing artistic vision and leadership to Concert Series Programs. Passionate about developing and encouraging young musicians, Mr. Eberhardt currently serves as the Music Coordinator in Howard County Public Schools. In this role, Mr. Eberhardt oversees 230 music educators and is responsible for music curriculum for students pre-K through grade twelve. Mr. Eberhardt also served as the President of the Maryland Choral Educators Association. Mr. Eberhardt has served as a guest conductor for many county-level honor choirs in the state, and is also an active adjudicator and clinician. Mr. Eberhardt has received many honors recognizing his contributions in the field of education and professional accomplishments. He is the proud recipient of The Maryland State Teachers Award, The Maryland Distinguished Scholarship in talent and education, and The Peabody Scholarship in talent. In 2008 Mr. Eberhardt was named the “Howard County Teacher of the Year” for his commitment to music excellence in the classroom. Mr. Eberhardt was featured as a “Choral Director of Note” in the January 2011 edition of the Choral Director Magazine. In 2015 Mr. Eberhardt was named Grammy Music Educator of the year semi-finalist.
Heather
Adelsberger, Denis Karp, John Romano, & Eddie Sanders
May 18 | 4 p.m.
St. Louis Chapel
TICKETED EVENT
Concert by Candlelight
The season closes with a chapel concert that brings an extraordinary line-up of instrumental soloists to the stage. Join us for this special experience as we welcome Heather Adelsberger (harpsichord), Denis Karp (flute and recorder), John Romano (bass clarinet and recorder) and Eddie Sanders (bassoon). After the concert, make your way to the social hall for a champagne toast to celebrate the season with the program’s performers, fellow patrons, and Concert Series staff.
Heather Adelsberger maintains an active career as a keyboard artist and conductor in the DMV area. She is currently the Artistic Director of The Georgetown Chorale and serves as Director of Music Ministries at Grace Episcopal Church in Silver Spring, MD.
Denis Karp is an active freelancer throughout the Maryland/ D.C. area and frequently records in studio as a member of The Washington Winds. Mr. Karp is the flutist in The Charm City Winds and The Gallery Winds woodwind quintets. He is the cofounder and co-director of the annual Gallery Winds Chamber Music Summer Camp and has served as a chamber music coach for the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra. Mr. Karp teaches private flute lessons through a private studio, Prince George’s Community College, and the Baltimore School for the Arts TWIGS program, which provides free music lessons to Baltimore City students.
John Romano is the former (ret. 2016) bass clarinetist of The US Air Force Band in Washington DC. Prior to that, he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in clarinet performance from Shenandoah Conservatory in 1991 and joined the Air Force Band of the Golden West at Travis Air Force Base in California in 1992 as a clarinetist. While in California, he visited many vineyards and did a lot of cycling, but also played in such ensembles as the Berkeley Symphony, Solano Symphony, California Wind Orchestra and San Francisco Concerto Orchestra. He also happened to buy a bass clarinet and, after learning to play it, returned to the East Coast in 2000 as the bass clarinetist for The USAF Band in Washington DC.
Eddie Sanders III studied bassoon with Lewis Lipnick in his youth and Dr. Gene Griswold at Towson University. After completion of his bachelors of music at Towson University he won a position with the United States Air Force Band in 2000 and was appointed principal bassoon in 2002. He has also performed with the Maryland Symphony, The Annapolis Symphony, Baltimore Chamber Symphony, Richmond Symphony and the National Cathedral Choral Society Orchestra. He is currently the contrabassoonist of the Apollo Orchestra. He was the winner of the Yamaha Young Artist Competition in 1999. Eddie Sanders has been an active soloist and clinician at the University level throughout North America, Puerto Rico and Asia.
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Illuminating Lives through Music
The St. Louis Church Concert Series has been a part of the fabric of the Clarksville community since 2006—next season we’ll be celebrating our 20th anniversary!
From the start, we have designed our programming to ENLIVEN, EDUCATE, AND ENTERTAIN and to serve as a conduit for building community. Over the years we have produced many memorable performances presented by outstanding guest soloists, orchestras, and choirs. Our music brings people together. Apart from the music itself, the St. Louis Church Concert Series has touched the lives of thousands of people through partnerships with charitable organizations and community outreach.
$60K Donate Here!
So that we may continue to present concerts of the highest caliber and to make a difference in the community, we rely on your financial gifts. This season we are launching a fundraising campaign titled “Illuminating Lives through Music,” to build on our strong foundation and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Concert Series. In the months ahead, we will be sharing how you can invest in our future. Our hope is to involve as many people in the community as possible in this important campaign.
To explore ways to give, visit www.stlconcertseries.org/donate. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your generosity.
Finally, we love performing for you! Your presence, support, and applause mean the world to us.
