Music at Emmanuel: 2023-2024 Season Brochure

Long a vibrant locus for the arts in Baltimore, Emmanuel Church’s music programming takes another big step forward this year in scope and diversity of offerings and we invite you to join us regularly and often for these programs in the beauty and serenity of Emmanuel’s historic space at the corner of Cathedral and W. Read Streets.

Our 2023–2024 season comprises two main series: programming that features The Emmanuel Choir Maryland’s premier professional church choir and Tuesdays at Six, a happy-hour series of chamber music showcasing local musicians of the highest caliber New this year, we are delighted to welcome Mount Vernon Virtuosi one of the region’s dynamic chamber orchestras as Ensemble-in-Residence This vibrant group of exceptional young musicians presents a third series in our programming comprising four free concerts in Emmanuel’s beautiful and resonant space

Whether basking in the richness of Fauré’s transcendent Requiem or reveling in the intricate choruses of Bach’s G Minor Mass, our Emmanuel Choir series this year has something for everyone In addition to these masterworks, the upcoming season features two not-to-be-missed holiday events in December including Britten’s wonderfully innovative cantata chronicling the life of "jolly old St Nick;" a program highlighting the exquisite and oft-overlooked music of the Iberian Golden Age; and a fabulous event for Baltimore

PRIDE celebrating the music of American legend Leonard Bernstein We are also excited two special guests will collaborate with the choir this year: concert organist James O’Donnell and acclaimed composer Nico Muhly O’Donnell, who until recently directed music at Westminster Abbey, joins us in April to lead Choral Evensong and play an organ recital in celebration of our pipe organ ’ s 15th birthday Muhly, who endlessly exudes both energy and creativity, joins the choir together with WYPR’s Tom Hall for a special conversation and concert featuring his music in May.

Our once-monthly Tuesday series offers a rich array of chamber music performed by noteworthy local artists including, this year, three (!) Grammy Award-winning musicians. In addition to standard works of Monteverdi and Mozart, Schubert and Ravel, our January program welcomes acclaimed folk artists Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer and the December concert features local celebrity Mariah Bonner performing holiday standards together with a jazz trio Concert pianist Ching-Yi Lin marks a special Rachmaninoff anniversary with a program of that composer ’ s fiendishly difficult music in October

In February and back by popular demand! we are thrilled to again feature Michael Harris and his group, Hot Club of Baltimore, for an evening of New Orleans-style jazz on Mardi Gras night And, coming up in March, we are privileged to present the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers one of the country’s premier professional choirs Rooted in a mission to promote and showcase black excellence, this nimble and spirited ensemble has quickly made a distinctive impression on the American choral scene

Of course, none of these offerings is possible without your support We invite you to mark these dates on your calendar and plan to attend Please also share these events with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues and invite them to join you! And, finally, please do consider becoming or renewing your support as a “Friend of Music” by making a tax-deductible financial contribution to strengthen and sustain this important series in the heart of Mt Vernon

Again, welcome to this new year of Music at Emmanuel We look forward to seeing you often this season!

Christian Lane Director of Music

Anne Marie Richards Rector

CHORALEVENSONG

Sunday,September24,2023at3:30pm

CHRISTIANLANEorgan KARLROBSONorgan

The Emmanuel Choir sings a traditional service of Choral Evensong, featuring Lennox Berkeley’s monumental Festival Anthem and works of Kenneth Leighton, Philip Moore, and Scott Perkins Concert organist Karl Robson accompanies the choir during the 4:00 p m liturgy; the service is preceded at 3:30 p m by an organ recital featuring music of Edward Elgar and Felix Mendelssohn, performed by Director of Music Christian Lane.

IBERIANSPLENDOR

Sunday,October29,2023at4:00pm

In an era when Spain and Portugal were creating their global empires, Iberian artists of the 16th and 17th centuries flourished and thrived Chief among these was Tomás Luis de Victoria (c 1548–1611), the most famous composer of the Spanish Renaissance but others, including Francisco Guerrero and Sebastián de Vivanco, also crafted exquisite music for church and court In Portugal, Vicente Lusitano (c 1520–c 1561) cultivated a distinguished career as the first published composer of African descent only to have his work overlooked and ignored for centuries Journey with The Emmanuel Choir as it explores the musical splendors of the Iberian golden age

BRITTENSt.Nicolas

Sunday,December3,2023at4:00pm

CHRISTIANLANEdirection

MATTHEWHILLtenor

JACQUELINEPOLLAUFharp

PEABODYCHILDREN'SCHORUS

BALTIMORESYMPHONYYOUTHORCHESTRA

The story of today’s Santa Claus begins with the early-Christian bishop Nicolas of Myra, who was known for his generosity to those in need and for his love for children Following his death in the year 343, he was made a Saint by the church, and the vibrant stories of his life and abundant acts of generosity continue to inspire and influence our modern-day Christmas celebrations In this grand cantata by Benjamin Britten, the tales of St Nicolas are vividly portrayed in poetry and music and, for this special performance, The Emmanuel Choir is joined by members of the Peabody Children’s Chorus and Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra, together with acclaimed tenor Matthew Hill in the title role Britten’s joyous Ceremony of Carols, beloved the world over, begins this special holiday concert Get your tickets early!

CHRISTIANLANE

TOMÁSLUISDEVICTORIA

MATTHEWHILL

JACQUELINEPOLLAUF

NICOLESTOVER

CANDLELIGHTCAROLS

Sunday,December17,2023at6:30pm

CHRISTIANLANEdirection

KARLROBSONorgan

The celebration of Christmas is never complete without a vivid retelling of the biblical story of Christ’s birth through word and music Join The Emmanuel Choir and invited guests for this annual festival of readings and carols, hearing the familiar story of sheep and shepherds, singing angels, three wise men, and one miraculous Christ Child anew once more The candlelit 7:00 p.m. program is preceded by a 6:30 p.m. Christmas organ recital, masterfully performed by concert organist Karl Robson.

FAURÉRequiem

Sunday,January28,2024at4:00pm

CHRISTIANLANEdirection

NICOLESTOVERsoprano

MORGANSULLIVANbaritone

EVANWESLEYCURRIEorgan

Marking 100 years since the death of Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924) one of the greatest French composers of all time The Emmanuel Choir, soloists, and chamber orchestra perform one of Fauré’s most enduring works, the monumental and translucent Requiem Renowned for its tremendous emotional depth and its long, soaring melodies, the Requiem anchors this program of French music, which also includes powerful works by Maurice Duruflé, Darius Milhaud, and Francis Poulenc

BACHGMinorMass

Friday,March1,2024at7:30pm

CHRISTIANLANEdirection

PERIOD-INSTRUMENTCHAMBERORCHESTRA

Today, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) is known as one of the greatest composers of all time yet, during his lifetime, Bach’s works were not widely circulated or performed In contrast, the music of Johann Adolph Hasse (1699–1783), generally overlooked today, was widely revered and performed in the 18th century This program features a great work by each of these composers: Bach’s stunning Mass in G Minor, BWV 235 and Hasse’s powerful Miserere in C Minor, together with Czech composer Jan Dismas Zelenka’ s joyous Magnificat in D Major Join The Emmanuel Choir, soloists from within its ranks, and period-instrument orchestra for this special concert in Lent

Whereyouseethisemblem,aspecial eventhasbeenplannedforour FriendsofMusic.Pleasejoinus!

KARLROBSON

EVANWESLEYCURRIE

JOHANNSEBASTIANBACH

CHORALEVENSONG

Sunday,April21,2024at3:00pm

JAMESO'DONNELLdistinguishedguestartist CHRISTIANLANEorgan

Organist Emeritus of Westminster Abbey in London, James O’Donnell is unquestionably one of the world’s great organists and choir conductors and we are thrilled to welcome him to Emmanuel to celebrate 15 years since the installation of our 2009 Létourneau pipe organ In addition to performing a varied and engaging organ recital at 3:00 p m , Mr O’Donnell will conduct The Emmanuel Choir in a service of Choral Evensong at 4:00 p m During his 23-year tenure at Westminster Abbey, O’Donnell led the music for many important royal and noteworthy occasions including, most recently, the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 He was recently made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by King Charles III, and we are excited to welcome him to Baltimore for this special and celebratory event

ANEVENINGWITHNICOMUHLY

Friday,May10,2024at7:30pm

NICOMUHLYcomposer

TOMHALLmoderator

THOMASSHEEHANorgan

Nico Muhly (b. 1981) is one of the greatest American composers of our time, having been commissioned by The Metropolitan Opera and many of the world’s leading orchestras In addition to these large-scale orchestral and opera works, Muhly composes extensively for liturgical forces drawing upon his childhood experience as a chorister in the Episcopal Church as guide and inspiration For this special program, Muhly’s compositions for choir and organ will be performed in tandem with masterpieces which influence and inform his own work works by William Byrd, Thomas Tallis, Herbert Howells, Igor Stravinsky, and John Rutter included Tom Hall, host of WYPR’s Midday, moderates an illuminating conversation with Nico Muhly as part of this special concert event Don’t miss your chance to hear this wonderful and engaging music, expertly sung by The Emmanuel Choir and accompanied by Thomas Sheehan, organist of Washington National Cathedral

GLITTERANDBEGAY!

Friday,June7,2024at7:30pm

To mark Baltimore Pride month, The Emmanuel Choir presents a program celebrating the music of Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) including the show-stopping aria from his 1956 musical Candide, “Glitter and be gay!” In addition to popular selections from Bernstein’s many stage scores, including West Side Story, The Emmanuel Choir sings portions of his monumental 1971 Mass and a complete performance of the 1965 masterpiece Chichester Psalms. Don’t miss this fun and varied concert extravaganza, as we celebrate Baltimore Pride and bring our 2023–2024 Music at Emmanuel season to a fabulous and festive close

JAMESO'DONNELL

NICOMUHLY

TOMHALL

CAROLEBEAN

BEAUSOIRENSEMBLE

Tuesday,September19,2023at6:00pm

CAROLEBEANflute TSUNASAKAMOTOviola

MICHELLEMYERSLUNDYharp

With an innovative sound and novel instrumentation, Beau Soir Ensemble offers listeners an intimate chamber music experience Comprising members of the National Symphony Orchestra, this trio flute, viola, and harp regularly performs in many of the region’s esteemed concert venues, including the Kennedy Center and Strathmore Mansion Opening this season ’ s Tuesdays at Six series, Beau Soir Ensemble’s program features Respighi’ s Ancient Airs & Dances, Stephen Main’ s Columbus Triptych, and much more

RACHMANINOFFAT150

Tuesday,October17,2023at6:00pm

CHING-YILINpiano

CHING-YILIN

Marking 150 years since the birth of Sergei Rachmaninoff one of the greatest concert pianists, conductors, and composers of the 20th century concert pianist Ching-Yi Lin performs some of the composer ’ s fiendishly virtuosic yet sublimely beautiful works for solo piano Also featuring some of Rachmaninoff’s keyboard transcriptions of J.S. Bach’ s instrumental music, you won’t want to miss this powerful and powerhouse! performance by one of the region’s rising young talents

PEABODYGRADUATEJAZZ

Tuesday,November14,2023at6:00pm

SEANJONESfacultyleader

Directed by renowned trumpeter Sean Jones, Chair of Jazz Studies at Peabody, the Graduate Jazz Ensemble (GJE) is a brand-new ensemble comprising recipients of Peabody’s Graduate Jazz Fellowship This ensemble focuses on community-engaged artistry to develop expressive, flexible, creative, and collaborative musicians who are deeply invested in making an impact with their art GJE provides developing artists with a platform to compose and perform original works, while gaining experience in roles of leadership and giving back to the community as educational artists Be sure to join us as we welcome them to Emmanuel for a diverse and fun! program of jazz!

EachTuesdaysatSixconcertbeginswitha complimentaryreceptionat5:30pm.

Pleasejoinus!

PEABODYGRADUATEJAZZENSEMBLE

AMARIAHBONNERCHRISTMAS

Tuesday,December12,2023at6:00pm

MARIAHBONNERvocalist

SEANLANEpiano

SETHKIBELclarinet&saxophone

BOBABBOTTbass

$15/$10

Join local singer, recording artist, and all-around entertainer Mariah Bonner for an evening of holiday cheer! You’ll be treated to a selection of songs in both English and French, ranging from classic melodies like I’ll Be Home For Christmas to beloved hymns such as Minuits, Chrétiens (O, Holy Night), and Douce Nuit (Silent Night) Included will also be contemporary holiday tunes, such as Hard Candy Christmas, and much, much more Bring the whole family for this relaxed and special holiday program!

CATHYFINK&MARCYMARXER

Tuesday,January16,2024at6:00pm

CATHYFINKvocals&instruments

MARCYMARXERvocals&instruments

$15/$10

Having won two Grammy Awards, folk musicians Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer are master performers with a career spanning more than three decades and thousands of shows for audiences of all ages Their superb vocal harmonies are rooted in the sounds of Appalachia, and are supported by their unmatched virtuosity on guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, cello-banjo, and many other instruments! Bring the whole family for this fun and engaging program featuring two of Maryland’s musical legends!

SONGSOFDISSENT

Tuesday,February6,2024at6:00pm

ROBINMCGINNESSbaritone JOHNHENDERSONpiano

$15/$10

Whether portraying strikingly vivid characters in dramatic opera or soloing center stage at Carnegie Hall, Robin McGinness moves audiences with “impressive singing” (Baltimore Sun) and a “ warm baritone” (Washington Post) In this recital, Robin partners with pianist John Henderson to offer Songs of Dissent a stunning program of American art song featuring Civil Words, Pulitzer and Grammy-winning composer Jennifer Higdon’ s 2015 song cycle setting texts from the American Civil War Also included are powerful songs by Charles Ives, Samuel Barber, Kurt Weill, and a work of Baltimorebased composer Max Eidinoff To close the program, Robin sings Stacy Garrop’ s mesmerizing song, My dearest Ruth, which sets Marty Ginsburg’s final love letter to his wife and American legal icon former Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

MARIAHBONNER

CATHYFINK&MARCYMARXER

ROBINMCGINNESS

JOHNHENDERSON

AARONSHEEHAN

LIGAMENTDUO

Tuesday,March12,2024at6:00pm

ANIKAKIRKEGAARD

soprano WILLYAGERdoublebass

LIGAMENT presents a program of new works for voice and double bass which explores the vast sonic worlds made possible by this duo’s unique instrumentation Featured on this performance is Nick Bentz’ s please continue, which examines the relationship between psychedelics and American culture by setting drug trip reports from the turn of the century alongside words from John Erlichman, Nixon’s policy advisor, and electronic manipulation of presidential speeches from the Nixon administration to the present In comparison, Ruby Fulton’ s and if not, why not reveals the isolating effects of interstate migration on new mothers in early 20thcentury America The surprising combination of double bass and voice brings a new and exciting world of sound to the pressing and political pieces on this program

ALLAGUERRAD'AMORE

Tuesday,April9,2024at6:00pm

AARONSHEEHANtenor

JEFFREYTHOMPSONtenor ADAMPEARLharpsichord WILLIAMSIMMSlute&theorbo

Join world-renowned tenors Aaron Sheehan and Jeffrey Thompson for a program showcasing the glorious and sublimely beautiful sounds of the Italian Renaissance Sheehan, a Grammy Award winning artist based in Baltimore, is joined by Thompson, winner of the Chimay International Baroque Singing Competition in Belgium, to present this recital of virtuosic and haunting duets by Claudio Monteverdi and his contemporaries These exceptional musicians are joined for this program by Adam Pearl, Professor of Harpsichord at Peabody, and William Simms, accomplished lutenist For fans of early music, this program is not-to-be-missed!

MAXWELLFOSTER&ALEXRAINERI

Tuesday,May21,2024at6:00pm

MAXWELLFOSTERpiano

ALEXRAINERIpiano

Australian concert pianists Maxwell Foster & Alex Raineri join forces for a program of music requiring four hands and all 88 piano keys! Featured will be a beautiful piece entitled Bloom, by rising Australian composer Natalie Nicolas, alongside Franz Shubert’ s famous Fantasie in F Minor and Maurice Ravel’ s evocative Rapsodie espagnole Maxwell Foster is no stranger to Emmanuel audiences, having performed here throughout his doctoral studies at Peabody but this is a rare treat to hear international concert artist Alex Raineri in the USA Join us for this special grand finale to the 2023–2024 Tuesdays at Six series!

WILLYAGER&ANIKAKIRKEGAARD

CHRISTMASEVEATEMMANUEL

Sunday,December24,2023at7:00pm

Christmas Eve is a time for family, friends, music, and great celebration. This year, gather your family, and join you friends at Emmanuel, for a traditional and festive Choral Eucharist on Christmas Eve Hear the story of Christ’s birth retold through timeless readings and musical responses, sung by The Emmanuel Choir Rev Anne Marie Richards offers a special Christmas message

MARDIGRASCELEBRATION

Tuesday,February13,2024at6:00pm

Back by popular demand, Michael Joseph Harris and the Hot Club of Baltimore return to Emmanuel for a special Mardi Gras celebration This year, however, join us for more than simply a concert! Rather, we have planned a fully festive evening one filled with delicious food and foottapping New Orleans Jazz in Emmanuel's Great Hall. Your ticket includes dinner and spots are limited. Book yours today!

JASONMAXFERDINANDSINGERS

Sunday,March10,2024at4:00pm JASONMAXFERDINANDdirection

Founded in 2021 with a mission to promote and showcase black excellence through choral music of all styles, the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers have quickly established themselves as one of the country’s premier professional choirs A graduate of Morgan State University, Jason Max Ferdinand is now Director of Choral Activities at the University of Maryland, College Park and, as one of the leading musical visionaries of our time, he and his ensemble advocate for inclusion, diversity, and unity throughout our land, using the power of music as both guide and vehicle Music at Emmanuel is thrilled to present this accomplished ensemble in our 2023–2024 season Mark your calendars, and join us for an afternoon of powerfully transformative music

EASTERATEMMANUEL

Sunday,March31,2024at10:30am

The days leading to, and including, Easter are some of the most powerful, provocative, and beautiful within the Christian liturgical tradition and composers throughout the centuries have written some of their greatest music specifically for these days This year, you are invited to experience Holy Week and Easter with your friends at Emmanuel The Emmanuel Choir sings poignant and beautiful liturgies on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings March 28, 29, and 30 before the triumphant arrival of Easter, with brass fanfares, on Sunday morning All are welcome

HOTCLUBOFBALTIMORE

MICHAELJOSEPHHARRIS

MICHAELJOSEPHHARRISbandleader

HOTCLUBOFBALTIMORE $25

JASONMAXFERDINAND

JASONMAXFERDINANDSINGERS

AMITPELED

MOUNTVERNONVIRTUOSI

Emmanuel'snewEnsemble-in-Residence

AMITPELEDfounder&artisticdirector

Founded in 2018, Mount Vernon Virtuosi is a chamber orchestra based in Baltimore Comprised of seventeen string players, its mission is to provide a place of artistic growth for the young musician on the brink of their professional career By providing a platform for musicians to continue developing their skills, the ensemble encourages their personal growth by engaging with audiences of all ages through exceptional performances and community engagement activities throughout the Baltimore and Washington, DC region

Through the generous contributions of dedicated individuals, all regular season performances are presented free of charge. The orchestra continues to develop meaningful partnerships with community organizations throughout the Baltimore area, with concerts and education initiatives in schools, prisons, hospitals, hospice, and in collaboration with local venues that expand our reach and provide easy access to community members

Beyond regular season concerts in the Baltimore/Washington area, Mount Vernon Virtuosi has toured throughout the East Coast and records exclusively for the CTM Classics recording label The orchestra’s first recording, “Mozart Live” was released in 2019

FROMBACHTOKOLNIDREI

Saturday,September23,2023at7:00pm

JOHANNSEBASTIANBACHAriaforStrings

ANTONÍNDVORÁKSerenade

MAXBRUCHKolNidrei

MOZARTINJEANS

Saturday,December16,2023at7:00pm

WOLFGANGAMADEUSMOZARTprogramtobeannounced

CELLOGANG

Saturday,March9,2024at7:00pm

programtobeannounced

MADEINMARYLAND

Saturday,May11,2024at7:00pm

programofMarylandcomposerstobeannounced

MOUNTVERNONVIRTUOSI

ABOUTTICKETS

A ticket is required of all attendees for concert programming, and may be obtained prior to the concert or at the door beginning 30 minutes prior to the performance. Tickets are not required for free events

ChoirConcerts

$35atthedoor

$25online

$10low/limitedincome

TuesdaysatSix

$15atthedoor

$10online

Emmanuel Church is committed to ensuring all persons have access to its space and its musical offerings, regardless of income and ability to pay. Therefore, a limited number of Free Rush Tickets will be made available, online only, beginning 24 hours in advance of a concert's start time.

Tickets are transferable, but not refundable If your plans change and you can no longer attend a performance, we encourage you to transfer your tickets to a friend

To do so, open your ticket on eventbrite com and click edit to assign a new name and email address

We thank Emmanuel's Friends of Music for their ongoing and significant support of programming at Emmanuel for tickets, please visit

or scan the QR code

PARKINGANDTRANSPORTATION

Paid parking is available in a lot directly adjacent to Emmanuel Church, with entrances on both N Charles and W Read Streets

Numerous options for metered street parking, free street parking, and alternative parking lots may be found on the city blocks surrounding Emmanuel's building at 811 Cathedral Street

The church is also served by local bus routes on both Cathedral and N. Charles Streets, as well as the Charm City Circulator (Purple Route) and Baltimore LiteRail Link (Mt Vernon/Centre St Stop)

ABOUTTHEVENUE

Emmanuel Episcopal Church is located in the heart of Baltimore's historic Mt. Vernon neighborhood. Its tremendous stone tower at the corner of Cathedral and W. Read Streets serves as a beacon in this community, and the nave's warm acoustic and gentle ambiance contribute to creating an ideal environment in which to hear choral and chamber music

In 2022, the church building underwent a $3 2M transformation to make each space in its physical plant fully accessible to all; included in this project was an elevator, increased ramp access, and new restroom facilities.

MusicatEmmanuelisgratefultotheMarylandStateArtsCouncil(msac.org) foritssupportofprogramminginthe2023-2024season.

Music at Emmanuel presents programming of the highest caliber for the enjoyment of our neighbors and friends, and for the enrichment of our community.

Ticket revenue covers only a portion of the tremendous costs incurred when presenting music of this quality

The support of our friends will ensure the sustainability of this series in the future.

Friend a donation of any amount

Supporter gifts of $100 or more

Promoter gifts of $500 or more

Sustainer gifts of $1,000 or more

Sponsor gifts of $2,500 or more

Donors are acknolwedged in concert programs and are invited to occasional special events

Gifts are tax deductible to the extent provided under law

To make a 2023-2024 Friends of Music gift online, please scan the QR code or visit www.emmanueldowntown.org

Click "Donate" and select "Friends of Music"

Checks should be payable to Emmanuel Episcopal Church with "Friends of Music" noted in the memo line and mailed to 811 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Robert B Kershaw

Christian Lane

Charles & Rebecca Atwater

Kelly McConkey & Laurie Siebert

Gene Miller & Don Zimmerman

Patrick Moulds

Brook & Anne Marie Richards

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Wendy S Aylward

Dayna & Albert "Bert" Lane

Susan & Pete Powell

Tim Teeter

Elizabeth & Fred Wise

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Paul Baroody

Kelly E. Cornell

Doreen Falby

Elizabeth Good

Drusilla P Jones †

Jigger & John Kratz

Henry & Leigh Lowe

Tiffany Lundquist

Marjorie Martorella

Michael Milligan

Lynda Nerhood

Dr & Mrs Leon Podles

Eric Price

Betty Ridgeway

Charles Robinson

Hart Paige Roemer

Morgan Sullivan & Kaylen Hann

Anonymous (1)

Richard Bell

Mary McDaniel Chapman

Dave Dallas

Christopher Schroeder

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