2014-2015
A Season of Music First Presbyterian Church of Naples
Philharmonic will present Joseph Haydn’s masterwork The Creation. The season will close with concert pianist, Petronel Malan. She performed on our series a few years ago to rave reviews and we are excited to have her back for another concert on our magnificent Blüthner grand piano. This series is filled with a variety of artists and styles of music. It is my hope that you will attend one or more of our concerts and that you might invite someone that has never attended one of our concerts before. It is a great opportunity for us to reach out to others in our community that they might discover the beautiful music at First Presbyterian Church. Through your generosity, this series has thrived for many years. I hope that you will consider supporting A Season of Music through your financial gifts and your attendance. The series can only continue with the support of people like you.
We have another year of exciting concerts planned for A Season of Music at First Presbyterian Church. We start the year off with an organ concert featuring some of my students from Ave Maria University. The second concert will feature the young voices of the Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus in a wonderful afternoon of music of varied styles including some special Christmas music. You can come to get into the Christmas spirit with our annual Lessons and Carols service featuring the Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian. In the New Year, we welcome the Chrysalis Chamber Players performing a concert of music from the Baroque, including one of J. S. Bach’s famous Brandenburg Concertos. In February, our Chancel Choir will combine with the Chancel Choir of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church and a chamber orchestra to present a concert celebrating the work of John Rutter. The featured work will be Rutter’s famous Requiem. In March, the Naples Philharmonic Chorus, the Ave Maria Chamber Choir and the Naples
Dr. Brice Gerlach Director of Music Ministries
A Season of Music at First Presbyterian Church
Brice Gerlach with Ave Maria University Organ Students— Mary Joy Silmaro & Jerome Cole Sunday, October 26, 2014 4:00 p.m.
Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus James Cochran, Director Brice Gerlach, Assistant Director Sunday, November 16, 2014 4:00 p.m. The Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus, under the direction of Dr. James Cochran, presents a concert sure to uplift and inspire. The chorus is an auditioned choir of children ranging in age from 6 to 18. They rehearse weekly and perform annually at Holiday Pops and their Spring Recital at Artis—Naples. They also sing for community events and in concerts around the Naples area. They are the best young singers in our community. The concert will feature pieces in different languages, a traditional Shaker hymn tune and many Disney songs. Highlights include the traditional spiritual Let Me Fly, If Wishes Had Wings, Fifty States in Rhyme and some Holiday favorites.
This concert will feature some up and coming young organists. Organ students Mary Joy Silmaro and Jerome Cole, from Ave Maria University, will join our director of music, Brice Gerlach for a concert of great music. Brice serves as Adjunct Professor of Organ at Ave Maria University and Mary Joy and Jerome are two of his most promising students.
You will love seeing the joy that these children have while singing. Don’t miss this special concert.
These young musicians are preparing difficult and interesting pieces for upcoming organ competitions. They both played at Artis—Naples in June on the Festival of Great Organ Music recital. You will be amazed at their ability to play the mighty Ruffatti. Please plan on attending and supporting great young talent!
A Season of Music at First Presbyterian Church
A Service of Lessons and Carols with the Chancel Choir Sunday, December 7, 2014 4:00 p.m.
The Chrysalis Chamber Players Sunday, January 25, 2015 4:00 p.m. The Chrysalis Chamber Players present a concert of music from the Baroque era. Highlights include the Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, the Harpsichord Concerto in D minor and the Double Concerto for Oboe and Violin by J. S. Bach. Featured soloists are: Mary Bowden, trumpet, Catherine Lam, harpsichord, Judy Christy, oboe and Daniela Shtereva, violin. You will not want to miss the opportunity to hear a Baroque chamber orchestra in a live concert. This is a unique concert that will showcase amazing talent. You will recognize many of these famous pieces.
This special worship service, made popular by Kings College Cambridge, has become a tradition at First Presbyterian Church. Our Chancel Choir will sing many favorite Christmas anthems including the Angels’ Carol and Star Carol by John Rutter, portions of Handel’s Messiah, including And the Glory of the Lord, the famous tenor solo, Comfort Ye and Every Valley, and the soprano solo, Rejoice Greatly. You will add your voice to the service by joining our choir in singing many favorite Christmas carols—including Once in Royal David’s City, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing and
Mary Bowden
Catherine Lam
Judy Christy
Daniela Shtereva
Silent Night. Come and remember the reason for the season! Mark your calendar now for this yuletide afternoon.
A Season of Music at First Presbyterian Church
Rutter Requiem
The Naples Philharmonic
The Chancel Choirs of First Presbyterian Church and Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church Brice Gerlach and James Cochran, conductors Sunday, February 22, 2015 4:00 p.m. *concert location—Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church
Naples Philharmonic Chorus Ave Maria University Chamber Choir Dr. Timothy McDonnell, conductor Sunday, March 29, 2015 4:00 p.m. The Naples Philharmonic along with the Naples Philharmonic Chorus and the Ave Maria University Chamber Choir present Joseph Haydn’s oratorio The Creation. Dr. Timothy McDonnell is the conductor of this special joint event. Haydn’s monumental work The Creation was inspired by Handel’s Messiah which Haydn heard on a visit to England. The piece is divided into three parts and depicts the creation of the world. Each new creation, light, water, landscapes, plants and beasts of land, sea and air are depicted with lavish tone painting. The third part focuses on the happy union of Adam and Eve. The Creation is widely considered Haydn’s crowning masterpiece. This concert will spotlight a trio of soloists in addition to the combined choirs and orchestra. You will not want to miss this wonderful event.
In the spirit of musical kinship, the Chancel Choirs of First Presbyterian and Vanderbilt Presbyterian Churches combine for a concert celebrating the music of John Rutter. Rutter will celebrate his 70th birthday in 2015.
This is a ticketed event and tickets must be purchased through the box office at Artis-Naples or at the door on the afternoon of the concert.
The featured work for this concert is his much beloved Requiem with Michele Byrd as the soprano soloist. In addition, the choirs will sing many favorite anthems by the British composer including Look at the World, For the Beauty of the Earth and A Gaelic Blessing. Please note...this concert will be held in the sanctuary of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, 1225 Piper Boulevard. Plan to arrive early to secure your seat! Dr. Timothy McDonnell
A Season of Music at First Presbyterian Church
Lenten Noontime Organ Recitals
Petronel Malan Sunday, April 19, 2015 4:00 p.m. Concert pianist Petronel Malan returns to perform on our wonderful Blßthner grand piano. In 2000, Ms. Malan's career was launched following five gold medals at international piano competitions throughout the United States. These included the Louise McMahon, Missouri Southern, Los Angeles Liszt "Budapest Concert" and Hilton Head International Piano Competitions. She also garnered the grand prize in the 2000 Web Concert Hall Competition and gold medals in both the Grace Welsh Piano Competition and the Entergy Young Artist Award. Born in South Africa, Petronel began lessons with her mother at age four, continuing with Adolph Hallis, Joseph Stanford and Albie van Schalkwyk. She debuted with the Johannesburg Symphony at age ten and subsequently won all major national competitions, before moving to the United States to further her studies. Following a degree at Michigan State University, Petronel completed her graduate degrees at the University of North Texas. Her teachers included Steven de Groote, Ralph Votapek and Joseph Banowetz. She also received intensive coaching from American legend Earl Wild. Petronel is a world-class concert pianist. She always brings inspired performances to her concerts. Mark your calendar today and don’t miss this event!
Wednesdays, February 25, March 4 and March 11, March 18, March 25 and April 1, 2015 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. The spectacular Ruffatti pipe organ is featured in six Lenten organ recitals offered by our Director of Music, Brice Gerlach. In these informal concerts Brice takes the time to explain some of the mechanical workings of the organ and offers some musical insights about the pieces on the program. Each concert opens with a piece that highlights the magnificent horizontal trumpets protruding from the front of the organ case. A work by J. S. Bach is always featured and arrangements of Lenten hymn tunes are presented, allowing for some of the diverse solo stops and softer sounds of the organ to be heard. The concerts will end with a rousing toccata, allowing the audience to hear the full power of the organ. After the recital, the audience is invited up to the console to ask questions and to see the beautiful woodwork and craftsmanship of the Ruffatti. Tours of the pipe chambers are also offered each week. Come hear beautiful organ music during Lent. Don't miss these special opportunities for personal reflection, meditation, and celebration of this holy season.
A Season of Music at First Presbyterian Church
Special Events Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan Sunday, October 26, 2014 10:00 a.m. This service celebrates the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian Church and its roots in Reformed Theology. We will be joined by the Saint Andrew’s Society of Southwest Florida and The Harp and Thistle Pipe Band will provide special music for this service.
Ash Wednesday Wednesday, February 18, 2015 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Thursday, April 2, 2015 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Friday, April 3, 2015 12:00 p.m.
You won’t want to miss the pageantry and beautiful music of this unique service.
Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 27, 2014 11:30 a.m. Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24, 2014 5:00 p.m. Family Service 7:00 p.m. (Special music begins at 6:30 p.m.) Our Family Service at 5:00 p.m. is an interactive service for families with young children. The service at 7:00 p.m. will be traditional candlelight services with readings and carols. The Chancel Choir will sing several anthems including John Rutter’s Angels’ Carol. Come and lend your voice as we sing our favorite Christmas carols including Silent Night and Joy to the World! Each service will feature special music from our soloists and choir beginning 30 minutes prior to worship.
Easter Sunday Sunday, April 5, 2015 7:30 a.m. Courtyard Service 8:30 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. We will celebrate Easter with special music provided by the Naples Chamber Brass Quintet at all of our services. Come join in singing Christ the Lord Is Risen Today and hear the magnificent Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. You will be uplifted by the glorious music of Easter!
A Season of Music at First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church of Naples
Non-Profit Org. Postage PAID Naples, FL 34102
250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 239.262.1311 www.fpcnaples.org
Permit No. 8
Musical Year at a Glance at First Presbyterian Church Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan
Rutter Requeim (*at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church)
Organ Concert—Brice Gerlach & AMU Students
Lenten Organ Recitals
Sunday, October 26, 2014—10:00 a.m. Sunday, October 26, 2014—4:00 p.m.
Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus Sunday, November 16, 2014—4:00 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 27, 2014—11:30 a.m.
Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 7, 2014—4:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve
Sunday, February 22, 2015—4:00 p.m.
Wednesdays—February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1, 2015—12:00—12:30 p.m.
The Creation by Haydn (*tickets at Artis—Naples) Sunday, March 29, 2015—4:00 p.m.
Maundy Thursday
Thursday, April 2, 2015—7:00 p.m.
Good Friday
Friday, April 3, 2015—12:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday Tuesday, December 24, 2014 Family Worship—5:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship—7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 5, 2015 Sunrise worship in the Courtyard—7:30 a.m. Chrysalis Chamber Players Worship in the Sanctuary—8:30 and 10:00 a.m. Sunday, January 25, 2015—4:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Wednesday, February 18, 2015—7:00 p.m.
Petronel Malan, pianist
Sunday, April 19, 2015—4:00 p.m.