Pinnacle Concert Series 2024-25 Season
Welcome!
Welcome to the 2024-2025 season of the Pinnacle Concert Series!
We have a few new events this season in addition to our annual must-see concerts like Phantom of the Organ, Veterans Day Tribute, or Celebration of Christmas (be sure to note the new times!). We will take you on a journey with classical chamber music in the Chapel, blues at the Trinity Terrace, Afghan music and jazz in the Fellowship Hall … there is something for everyone! Some concerts are followed by a bbq meal, dinner, dessert or a reception, and every organ concert is followed by a tour of our amazing pipe organ in the Sanctuary!
Pinnacle Concert Series events are open to all and without charge, except for hosted concerts presented by our partners from Phoenix Symphony and Arizona Musicfest. We are thrilled that our events have become an attraction for local students and their families over the past few years. This has been a gift to us, to them, and to the community.
Our ability to provide high quality musical offerings without charge is made possible because of generous financial contributions from our supporters. There are many ways to give. All are described in detail later in the brochure. A convenient way to give is online - if you point your camera to the QR code below, it will take you to the appropriate link. Thank you for your consideration and support!
I can’t wait to hear all the fabulous music in our spectacular spaces. More importantly, I look forward to seeing YOU at Pinnacle!
Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler Artistic Director, Pinnacle Concert Series Director of Ministries in Music and Arts at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church pcs@pinnaclepres.org
2024-25 Season Calendar – at a glance
Sun, Sept 15 | 3 pm | Chapel Chamber Concert “Strings United”
Sun, Sept 29 | 3 pm | Sanctuary “Songs, Dances, and Variations” with Patrick Rice
Sat, Oct 26 | 7 pm | Sanctuary Phantom of the Organ
Sun, Nov 10 | 3 pm | Sanctuary Veterans Day Tribute
Sun, Dec 8 | 2 & 5 pm | Sanctuary Celebration of Christmas
Sun, Dec 22 | 7 pm | Chapel Music & Meditation on the Longest Night
Sat, Jan 11 | 4 pm | Sanctuary “American Pinnacle” with Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler
Mon, Jan 20 | 6 pm | Chapel The Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in Song and Word
Sat, Feb 22 | 3 pm | Trinity Terrace Blues & BBQ with The Sugar Thieves
Good Friday, Apr 18 | 7 pm | Sanctuary Camille Saint-Saëns “Requiem”
Fri, Apr 25 | 7 pm | Fellowship Hall Jazz Evening with Holly Pyle Quartet
NEW TIMES
HOSTED EVENTS
tickets required; see details inside
Sat, Dec 14 | 7:30 pm | Sanctuary Sun, Dec 15 | 3 pm | Sanctuary Phoenix Symphony presents Handel's Messiah
Thur, Jan 30 | 4 & 7:30 pm | Sanctuary Arizona Musicfest presents Fabulous Five featuring Nicole Pesce & Friends
Fri, Feb 28 | 7:30 pm | Sanctuary Arizona Musicfest presents tenThing Brass Ensemble
Sun, Mar 9 | 4 pm | Fellowship Hall Afghan Music with Qais Essar
Sun, Mar 16 | 3 pm | Sanctuary “Canon, Counterpoint, Fugue!” with Anne Laver
Sun, Mar 23 | 2 pm | Sanctuary Arizona Musicfest presents Mozart's Requiem
Fri, Apr 4 | 7:30 pm | Sanctuary Phoenix Symphony Chorus presents Lux Aeterna
Fall 2024
Sunday, September 15
3 pm | Chapel
CHAMBER CONCERT
“STRINGS UNITED”
Join us for our season opener –an afternoon of refined chamber music with four extraordinary musicians. Experience a colorful sound tapestry of violin (Daga Suchon), cello (Wesley Skinner), harp (Heidi Hernandez), and piano (Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler) in all possible combinations. Discover the nuanced textures and rich tonal palette that emerge when these four diverse instruments unite in harmony.
Sunday, September 29 | 3 pm | Sanctuary
“SONGS, DANCES, and VARIATIONS”
with Patrick Rice
ASU doctoral candidate and 2024–25 Pinnacle Organ Scholar, Patrick Rice, will present a musical journey through the forms of song, dance, and variations written throughout centuries. This program promises to delve into the intricacies of these genres, showcasing the diverse sounds of the Richards & Fowkes pipe organ at Pinnacle. Enjoy an exploration of the best of the organ repertoire on one of the most exciting instruments in the Southwest!
Saturday, October 26 | 7 pm | Sanctuary
PHANTOM of the ORGAN
Get ready for the most anticipated and chilling show of the year, featuring iconic organ masterpieces such as Phantom of the Opera and Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor. In addition, the amazing Pinnacle vocalists and jazz quartet will bring to life the most mysterious and spooky tunes ever written. Don your costumes, gather your family and friends for the Trunk or Treat festivities at 6 pm, and extend your stay for an unforgettable concert experience that is sure to leave you spellbound!
Sunday, November 10 | 3 pm | Sanctuary VETERANS DAY TRIBUTE with
PHOENIX BRASS COLLECTIVE
As part of our annual tradition, the renowned Phoenix Brass Collective, a symphonic choir, extraordinary soloists, and a magnificent organ will unite to honor our nation’s Veterans. Join us for a remarkable evening where the evocative prose, prayers, and poetry narrated by Veterans mix with the splendor of music, creating a stirring tribute to those who have served our country with unwavering dedication and bravery.
Sunday, December 8
2 & 5 pm | Sanctuary
CELEBRATION of CHRISTMAS
2 & 5 PM
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the annual Celebration of Christmas serves as a source of joy, inspiration, and spiritual nourishment for its audience. This cherished tradition presents a diverse collection of the finest seasonal selections, performed by the Pinnacle Chancel Choir, Handbell Ensemble, soloists, and guest instrumentalists. This concert offers a muchneeded respite to celebrate music, art, and the spirit of the season.
Saturday, December 14 | 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 15 | 3 pm
Sanctuary
PHOENIX SYMPHONY
presents HANDEL'S MESSIAH
George Frederich Handel’s Messiah is the most famous oratorio ever written. Join us this December for the beloved Holiday tradition that thrills and inspires concertgoers year after year. Enjoy the full oratorio with solo arias such as “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth,” “The Trumpet Shall Sound” and popular choruses such as “For Unto Us A Child Is Born” and the “Hallelujah” chorus. Guest conductor Patrick Dupré Quigley leads soloists, the Phoenix Symphony and the Phoenix Symphony Chorus in the timeless classic. Purchase tickets for this concert online at phoenixsymphony.org.
Sunday, December 22
7 pm | Chapel
MUSIC and MEDITATION on the LONGEST NIGHT
This year we invite you to come together to pause for a moment on the longest night of the year. The Pinnacle Chapel will be a place of rest and sanctuary in the midst of a busy holiday season. Chamber music, guided meditations and prayers will offer an opportunity for healing and reflection. We will communally strive for a renewed sense of hope and understanding, and to find solace in the power of music and meditation.
Spring 2025
Saturday, January 11 | 4 pm
Sanctuary
“AMERICAN PINNACLE” with ILONA KUBIACZYK-ADLER
What makes the American music landscape unique? What makes Pinnacle’s organ special? Concert organist Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler will share insights into the journey that brought this extraordinary instrument to life in the heart of the desert. Discover through fiery and passionate music selections how the Richards & Fowkes organ masterfully merges the essence of European and American cultures, creating an American Pinnacle in Arizona! The concert will be followed by a reception for Pinnacle Concert Series donors and volunteers.
Monday, January 20 | 6 pm | Chapel
THE LEGACY of MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. in SONG and WORD
We celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday by exploring the profound impact of his legacy on the world. A captivating concert will feature a choir, soloists, and instrumentalists delivering music that defined Martin Luther King’s era. By singing his favorite hymns combined with significant readings, we will reaffirm our commitment to Dr. King’s ideals of justice, equality, and unity, empowering us to make a positive difference in the world.
Thursday, January 30 | 4 & 7:30 pm | Sanctuary
ARIZONA MUSICFEST presents FABULOUS
FIVE featuring NICOLE PESCE & FRIENDS
Valley favorite Nicole Pesce unites her two musical acts into one swingin’ super-group for this special Musicfest performance. We3 (pianist Pesce, along with vocalist Renee Grant Patrick and violinist Suzanne Lansford) along with the thrilling husband and wife piano duo Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi, combine their talents into a masterful quintet of artistic virtuosity and pizzazz, performing signature arrangements of classic jazz, swing, standards, ragtime, blues, and so much more. Purchase tickets for this concert online at azmusicfest.org.
Saturday, February 22 | 3 pm Trinity Terrace BLUES & BBQ featuring THE SUGAR
THIEVES
In the spirit of Mardi Gras, join us for an afternoon of open-air entertainment with The Sugar Thieves! This Phoenix-based group blends sultry blues roots with powerhouse delta sound and highenergy showmanship. Experience their unique blend of classics and original songs that has captivated enthusiasts of all ages for almost two decades. Enjoy the beautiful February weather and join us for a BBQ meal afterwards!
Friday, February 28 | 7:30 pm | Sanctuary
ARIZONA MUSICFEST presents TENTHING BRASS ENSEMBLE
Prepare to be blown away by tenThing Brass Ensemble, the awe-inspiring all-female Norwegian ensemble. Established in 2007 by acclaimed trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth, tenThing has firmly established itself on the international music scene. Celebrated for their diverse repertoire with luxurious original arrangements that span from Mozart to Weill, Grieg to Bernstein, and Lully to Bartok, they have soared to international prominence. Purchase tickets for this concert online at azmusicfest.org.
Sunday, March 9 | 4 pm | Fellowship Hall
AFGHAN MUSIC with QAIS ESSAR
Hailed as “…a master of the rabab…” by the New York Daily News, AfghanAmerican composer, awarded instrumentalist, and producer, Qais Essar will visit Pinnacle for a dazzling concert of traditional Afghan and global music. Immerse yourself in the fusion of cultures, and enjoy a delightful Afghan-themed dinner and Q&A session with the artist afterward.
Sunday, March 16 | 3 pm | Sanctuary
“CANON, COUNTERPOINT, FUGUE!”
with ANNE LAVER
Described by Fanfare magazine as a “complete musician, totally adept and utterly stylish in everything she plays,” Anne Laver will present a program of engaging preludes, fugues, and canons. Serving as the Associate Professor of Organ and University Organist at Syracuse University, Laver is known for her advocacy for new music written for the organ. She will perform compositions by J. S. Bach, Clara Weick Schumann, and Lionel Rogg, alongside recent works by Connor Chee, Judith Bingham, Natalie Draper, and Jacques van Oortmerssen.
Sunday, March 23 | 2 pm
Sanctuary
ARIZONA
MUSICFEST presents MOZART REQUIEM
One of the greatest choral masterpieces ever composed, Mozart’s Requiem is a work of tremendous poignance and emotional depth. Maestro Robert Moody leads the Festival Orchestra, Festival Chorus, and guest soloists in this profound musical work. The concert also includes Ibert’s Flute Concerto to be performed by Festival Orchestra member Henrik Heide (Cincinnati Symphony), as well as Barber’s Toccata Festiva, an exuberant and celebratory work for organ and orchestra, featuring soloist Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler. Purchase tickets for this concert online at azmusicfest.org.
Friday, April 4 | 7:30 pm | Sanctuary
PHOENIX SYMPHONY
CHORUS
presents LUX AETERNA
A masterpiece of choral music, Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna is the centerpiece of a concert featuring The Phoenix Symphony Chorus. This onenight-only performance assembles gorgeous choral music from numerous composers including Samuel Barber, Ola Gjeilo and Mack Wilberg who all used the inspiration of Light in setting timeless and wondrous words to music. Purchase tickets for this concert online at phoenixsymphony.org
Good Friday, April 18 | 7 pm | Sanctuary
CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS “REQUIEM”
Saint-Saëns’s Messe de Requiem (1877) “is perhaps the most sensitive, imaginative, and perfect work by the composer, who finds here, more than ever before, a classical balance between form and expression, innovation and tradition, sophisticated compositional style and immediate effect," wrote one of his biographers. It soars among others due to its devotional and entreating tone throughout, and its evocative vocal and choral writing. Allow yourself to be transported by the breathtaking harmonies and timeless beauty of this intricate composition.
Friday, April 25 | 7 pm | Fellowship Hall
JAZZ EVENING with HOLLY PYLE QUARTET
This concert, performed alongside piano, upright bass, and drums, will feature a selection of Holly Pyle's favorite original pieces from the past 10 years, including works from her House of Stairs and Elyp projects as well as unreleased music. In addition, there will be a few curated jazz standards, rearranged modern repertoire, and a few acapella vocal looping arrangements. Join us for an unforgettable jazz evening followed by a delicious dessert and Q&A with the musicians.
Become Our Partner
By providing our Pinnacle Concert Series events free of charge, we are able to share the gift of meaningful music with a larger audience. We would love to have you be a part of it. Your financial support, at any level, is greatly appreciated!
PRESENTER*
$5,000 + PARTNER
SUSTAINER
PATRON
$2,500 - 4,999
$1,000 - 2,499
$500 - 999
BENEFACTOR
$250 - 499
$100 - 249
up to $99
*To learn more about Presenting Sponsor opportunites contact us at pcs@pinnaclepres.org
Unless requested otherwise, names of our supporters are published in concert programs.
To make a donation to the Pinnacle Concert Series: QR Code point your phone camera to the code below Text “pinnaclepres” to 833-245-8445
Online at www.pinnacleconcerts.org
(select Pinnacle Concert Series Donation from the giving type drop-down menu)
By Check: payable to Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
MEMO: Pinnacle Concert Series
25150 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Educational Events
Saturday, March 15 | 9 am-noon | Rehearsal Hall & Sanctuary
ORGAN WORKSHOP “STRATEGIES for PRODUCTIVE PRACTICING” with ANNE LAVER
Are you looking for techniques to refresh your practice sessions? Are you a teacher looking for tips to pass on to your students? This workshop will offer ways to make the best possible use of limited practice time. Anne Laver will discuss the importance of simple physical warm-ups and mindfulness techniques to start a practice session, and she will then share specific strategies for standard repertoire. Workshop attendees are encouraged to bring pieces or excerpts to be used as case studies.
Monday, May 12 | 2-9 pm | Rehearsal Hall & Sanctuary
MUSFORUM CONFERENCE
Musforum advocates for women organists in liturgical music and higher education, and it aims to support them in reaching their professional goals and aspirations. Come hear presentations, lectures, and performances highlighting the work of women organists and composers delivered by Kimberly Marshall, Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler, Susan Jane Matthews, Joy-Leilani Garbutt, and others.
photo courtesy of National Gallery of Art, Washington
RICHARDS & FOWKES OP. 14
SANCTUARY ORGAN TOURS
Following every organ concert and Sunday, September 22 | following 10 am worship | Sanctuary Sunday, October 20 | following 10 am worship | Sanctuary Please visit us online at pinnacleconcerts.org for spring dates
