The community is invited to a gala benefit concert at 7:00pm on Saturday, May 20 at the church. A festive reception in Smith Hall, hosted by the Music Ministry Team, will follow after the concert. There is no admission charge and childcare is provided.
The program will include a variety of music that will entertain all ages and musical tastes. Broadway, opera, jazz, and popular repertoire will be presented by the Chancel Choir, its professional section leaders, and the Spirit Singers, Joyful Noise, and Sonshine Singers choirs. The benefit is now in its eleventh year and is organized by our Director of Music Ministries Dr. Jo Deen Blaine Davis, who recently remarked, “This is a fun and entertaining hour for the entire family. What a great way to enjoy fellowship and musical favorites.”
Solos will be performed by the church’s professional section leaders, Diana Benton, Anne Maguire, Antonio Abate, Aram Tchobanian, Stephen Clark, and LaMarcus Miller, some of whom have sung solo and title roles at The Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera, as well as oratorio and solo work with orchestras and theater companies throughout the United States and Europe. Miller was the lead in the 2016 world premiere of Fallujah, which was featured at New York City Opera. Also included is Director of Children’s Music Noëlle Francis.
A free-will offering will be taken, with proceeds benefiting the church’s Mary Bradley Clarke music fund, which was established in 1973 by the wife of former minister Rev. Merrill Fowler Clarke to provide singers and instrumentalists for special musical programs held at the church throughout the year. For more information please contact Dr. Davis at music@godsacredev.wpengine.com or (203)966-2651, x4.