The concert series was started in 2009 at the time the church was completing a major renovation. The theme became appropriately “Beautiful Music in a Beautiful space.” It has provided another avenue of evangelism and outreach for St. George’s to the community to hear quality musical talent at a reasonable price. John Vreeland has been the creative force behind the concerts, including planning and implementation.
There were other concerts presented sporadically before the regular series in 2006-2007. While the series started in 2009, a pattern developed by 2013. There would be 9 concerts from September through May. About 5 would feature St. George’s groups and 4 would be outside groups. Washington’s Camerata has appeared most years since 2013 as one of those groups. Other performers who have been here more than once include the Portland Guitar Duo and Chanson du Soir. The most popular concert was not “classical” but guitarist Daniel Bachman who grew up at St. George’s and plays American Primitive style of acoustic guitar.
The concerts offer premium entertainment at inexpensive rates. Typically the cost has recently been $75 for a season ticket and $8-$10 per individual show. The concerts have been supported by a restricted concert fund which includes subscriptions, 3rd party advertisements from the Fredericksburg community as well as targeted gifts.
The concerts have been a way to provide St. George’s groups with a regular venue but also a way to extend evangelism to the community for the St. George’s community. Vestry and others from the church have been in attendance to greet concert goers.
Here is a list of concerts presented with some links (in the left column) to some of the programs, particularly the later ones.
Date | Group |
---|---|
March, 2006 | The Brass Roots Trio |
Dec. 2006 | American Boychoir |
Feb. 2007 | University of Northern Alabama Choir |
March, 2007 | Penn State Men's Glee Club |
April, 2007 | The Crosswinds Trio |
Sept. 2007- April, 2009 | Renovation St. George's |
2009-2010 | |
September | Chamber Concert |
Dec | St. George's Voices |
Jan | Chamber Concert |
Feb | Chamber Concert |
March | Westminster Schola Cantorum |
March | Cornell Univesity Choir |
March | Chamber Concert |
April | Chamber Concert |
May | Chamber Concert |
June | Chanson Du Soir |
2010-2011 | |
Sept | Loudoun Quartet |
Oct | St. George's Chamber Ensemble |
Nov | An Afternoon of Chamber Music |
Dec. | Chamber Chorale of Fredericksburg |
Jan | Washington Camerata |
Feb | St. George's Chamber Ensemble |
March | An Afternoon of Chamber Music |
April | An Afternoon of Chamber Music |
May | Chamber Chorale of Fredericksburg |
May | Chanson Du Soir |
May | St. George's Chamber Ensemble |
2011-2012 | |
Sept | Washington Camerata |
Oct | St. George's Voices |
Nov | St. George's Chamber Orchestra |
Dec. | Thomas Pandolfi, Piano - Into the Night with Gershwin |
Jan | Zachary Johnson , Classical guitarist |
Feb | St. George's Chamber Orchestra |
March | Loudoun Quartet |
April | Peter Fields and the World Jam Club |
May | St. George's Chamber Orchestra |
2012-2013 | |
Sept. | Tina Christie Flute |
Oct | St. George's Chamber Orchestra |
Nov | Ensemble Concert featuring members of the St. George's Chamber Orchester |
Dec. | The Fredericksburg String Quartet ( violinists Kevin Crowder and Elizabeth Piller, violist Ron Barricklow, cellist Christine Abeel) |
Jan | Chanson du Soir |
Feb | St. George's Chamber Orchestra |
March | Terra Voce , music for flute and classical guitar |
April | Portland Guitar Duo |
May | St. George's Chamber Orchestra |
2013-2014 | |
September | Washington’s Camerata |
October | St. George Chamber Orchestra |
November | John Vreeland - Organ |
December | Washington Saxophone Quartet |
January | Zach Johnson |
February | St. George Chamber Orchestra with St. George's combined choirs |
March | St. George Voices, A cappella from Renaissance to Jazz |
April | Afternoon of Chamber Music |
May | St. George Chamber Orchestra |
2014-2015 | |
September | Washington's Camerata |
October | St. George Chamber Orchestra |
November | St. George Voices |
December | Dan Bachman, guitarist |
January | Chanson du Soir |
February | St. George Chamber Orchestra with St. George's combined choirs |
March | John Vreeland - Organ |
April | Trio Concert |
May | St. George Chamber Orchestra |
2015 -2016 | |
September | Washington's Camerata |
October | St. George Chamber Orchestra |
November | The Clazzical Project—Jazz arrangements of Classical Favorites |
December | The St. George Voices with St. George’s Compline Choir |
January | Ayreheart |
February | The St. George Chamber Orchestra with the choirs of St. George's |
March | Terra Voce—Music for Flute, Cello and Piano |
April | The Portland Guitar Duo |
May | The St. George Chamber Orchestra |