Music at St. George’s, Part 5, The Concert Series, 2006-2016

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.

DateGroup
March, 2006The Brass Roots Trio
Dec. 2006American Boychoir
Feb. 2007University of Northern Alabama Choir
March, 2007Penn State Men's Glee Club
April, 2007The Crosswinds Trio
Sept. 2007- April, 2009Renovation St. George's
2009-2010
SeptemberChamber Concert
DecSt. George's Voices
JanChamber Concert
FebChamber Concert
MarchWestminster Schola Cantorum
MarchCornell Univesity Choir
MarchChamber Concert
AprilChamber Concert
MayChamber Concert
JuneChanson Du Soir
2010-2011
SeptLoudoun Quartet
OctSt. George's Chamber Ensemble
NovAn Afternoon of Chamber Music
Dec. Chamber Chorale of Fredericksburg
Jan Washington Camerata
FebSt. George's Chamber Ensemble
MarchAn Afternoon of Chamber Music
AprilAn Afternoon of Chamber Music
MayChamber Chorale of Fredericksburg
MayChanson Du Soir
MaySt. George's Chamber Ensemble
2011-2012
SeptWashington Camerata
OctSt. George's Voices
NovSt. George's Chamber Orchestra
Dec. Thomas Pandolfi, Piano - Into the Night with Gershwin
Jan Zachary Johnson , Classical guitarist
FebSt. George's Chamber Orchestra
MarchLoudoun Quartet
AprilPeter Fields and the World Jam Club
May
St. George's Chamber Orchestra
2012-2013
Sept.
Tina Christie Flute
OctSt. George's Chamber Orchestra
NovEnsemble 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
SeptemberWashington’s Camerata
OctoberSt. George Chamber Orchestra
NovemberJohn Vreeland - Organ
DecemberWashington Saxophone Quartet
JanuaryZach Johnson
FebruarySt. George Chamber Orchestra with St. George's combined choirs
MarchSt. George Voices, A cappella from Renaissance to Jazz
AprilAfternoon of Chamber Music
MaySt. George Chamber Orchestra
2014-2015
SeptemberWashington's Camerata
OctoberSt. George Chamber Orchestra
NovemberSt. George Voices
DecemberDan Bachman, guitarist
JanuaryChanson du Soir
FebruarySt. George Chamber Orchestra with St. George's combined choirs
MarchJohn Vreeland - Organ
AprilTrio Concert
MaySt. George Chamber Orchestra
2015 -2016
SeptemberWashington's Camerata
OctoberSt. George Chamber Orchestra
NovemberThe Clazzical Project—Jazz arrangements of Classical Favorites
DecemberThe St. George Voices with St. George’s Compline Choir
JanuaryAyreheart
FebruaryThe St. George Chamber Orchestra with the choirs of St. George's
MarchTerra Voce—Music for Flute, Cello and Piano
AprilThe Portland Guitar Duo
MayThe St. George Chamber Orchestra