Concert Series 2008-2009

The Music Team of First United Methodist Church is very pleased to announce the Concert Series for the 2011-2012 season. First United Methodist Church has hosted the only concert series of its kind in the area for over thirty years. The series welcomes world-class musicians to Schenectady to perform as a gift to the community and as an outreach of our music ministry.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

3:00 pm

Harmonic Brass - Munich

Returning to Schenectady for the seventh time with an all new program will be Harmonic Brass - Munich, the brass quintet which never ceases to amaze and delight its audiences. Their humorous antics combined with their dazzling and elegant playing make Harmonic Brass a First United Methodist Church audience favorite.

Funding for this project made possible in part by a grant from the Schenectady County Legislature through its County Initiative Program.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

3:00 pm

Christopher Herrick

One of Europe’s most acclaimed organists is English concert organist Christopher Herrick. Formerly the principal organist of Westminster Abbey, London, Mr. Herrick now performs around the world, his playing universally praised for its clarity, brilliance and apparent ease. Since 1984 he has enjoyed a highly successful career as an international concert organist and recording artist.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

3:00 pm

New England Ringers

New England Ringers is a fifteen-member community handbell ensemble of highly energetic musicians playing the most advanced level of handbell literature. Their outstanding music is matched by touches of entertaining humor and the artful visual presentation of the ensemble playing this unique instrument. Offering exciting performances, New England Ringers amazes listeners and receives enthusiastic reviews from audience members of all ages.

Kim and Reggie highlight one of the most fascinating chapters of American history with songs, stories, audience involvement and an award winning multimedia presentation. The inspiring triumph won by a network of slaves and committed citizens from all walks of life unfolds in this performance that is astoundingly popular and effective for educational and historical venues as well as the general public.

Kim and Reggie Harris are dynamic and superbly talented traditional folk performers, whose captivating stage presence and unique harmonies has earned the respect and love of audiences throughout the US, Canada and Europe for over 30 years. They are unique in their ability to entertain audiences of any age and background as they blend their talents as singers, songwriters, educators, interpreters of history and cultural advocates.

Formed in 2006 by graduates of The
Juilliard School, the Bryant Park Quartet
includes Anna Elashvili and Ben Russell,
violins; Adam Meyer, viola; and Tomoko
Fujita, cello.

Tom Trenney is nationally known for
his improvisations on submitted
themes, poetry and artwork as
well as his silent film accompaniments,
hymn festivals, organ workshops and master
classes. He has been awarded First
Prize at regional and national competitions,
becoming the first organist to win
both the First Prize and Audience Prize
in the American Guild of Organists’ National
Competition in Organ Improvisation.
For his concert at First United
Methodist Church, Tom will accompany
a silent film. He is the Minister of Music
at First Plymouth Church in Lincoln,
Nebraska.

Duo organists Elizabeth and Raymond
Chenault perform extensively throughout
the United States and Europe. They
specialize in works written for two performers
at one organ and have commissioned
over forty organ duets. Because
of their unique repertoire, combined
with their exciting and sensitive artistry,
the Chenaults are in demand as recitalists
and have established themselves as
America’s leading duo-organists.

Concert Series 2011-2012
	The concert series is free and all are invited. FUMC CONCERT SERIES The Music Team of First United Methodist Church is very pleased to announce the Concert Series for the 2011-2012 season. First United Methodist Church has hosted the only concert series of its kind in the area for over thirty years. The series welcomes world-class musicians to Schenectady to perform as a gift to the community and as an outreach of our music ministry. Sunday, October 2, 2011 3:00 pm Harmonic Brass - Munich Returning to Schenectady for the seventh time with an all new program will be Harmonic Brass - Munich, the brass quintet which never ceases to amaze and delight its audiences. Their humorous antics combined with their dazzling and elegant playing make Harmonic Brass a First United Methodist Church audience favorite. *Funding for this project made possible in part by a grant from the Schenectady County Legislature through its County Initiative Program.* Sunday, March 18, 2012 3:00 pm Christopher Herrick One of Europe’s most acclaimed organists is English concert organist Christopher Herrick. Formerly the principal organist of Westminster Abbey, London, Mr. Herrick now performs around the world, his playing universally praised for its clarity, brilliance and apparent ease. Since 1984 he has enjoyed a highly successful career as an international concert organist and recording artist. Sunday, May 6, 2012 3:00 pm New England Ringers New England Ringers is a fifteen-member community handbell ensemble of highly energetic musicians playing the most advanced level of handbell literature. Their outstanding music is matched by touches of entertaining humor and the artful visual presentation of the ensemble playing this unique instrument. Offering exciting performances, New England Ringers amazes listeners and receives enthusiastic reviews from audience members of all ages. Kim and Reggie Harris In Concert An afternoon of spirituals and the Underground Railroad Sunday, February 13, 2011 3 pm Music and the Underground Railroad Kim and Reggie highlight one of the most fascinating chapters of American history with songs, stories, audience involvement and an award winning multimedia presentation. The inspiring triumph won by a network of slaves and committed citizens from all walks of life unfolds in this performance that is astoundingly popular and effective for educational and historical venues as well as the general public. Kim and Reggie Harris are dynamic and superbly talented traditional folk performers, whose captivating stage presence and unique harmonies has earned the respect and love of audiences throughout the US, Canada and Europe for over 30 years. They are unique in their ability to entertain audiences of any age and background as they blend their talents as singers, songwriters, educators, interpreters of history and cultural advocates. Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 3:00 pm The Bryant Park Quartet Formed in 2006 by graduates of The Juilliard School, the Bryant Park Quartet includes Anna Elashvili and Ben Russell, violins; Adam Meyer, viola; and Tomoko Fujita, cello. Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 3:00 pm Tom Trenney - Concert Organist Tom Trenney is nationally known for his improvisations on submitted themes, poetry and artwork as well as his silent film accompaniments, hymn festivals, organ workshops and master classes. He has been awarded First Prize at regional and national competitions, becoming the first organist to win both the First Prize and Audience Prize in the American Guild of Organists’ National Competition in Organ Improvisation. For his concert at First United Methodist Church, Tom will accompany a silent film. He is the Minister of Music at First Plymouth Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Sunday, October 24, 2010 at 3:00 pm The Chenaults - Duo Organists Duo organists Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault perform extensively throughout the United States and Europe. They specialize in works written for two performers at one organ and have commissioned over forty organ duets. Because of their unique repertoire, combined with their exciting and sensitive artistry, the Chenaults are in demand as recitalists and have established themselves as America’s leading duo-organists.