The goal of the Music Series is to provide free concerts of classical and sacred music for the community and the church.
Olga Ljungholm is the director of the Bethany Music Series, as well as the Minister of Music at Bethany Covenant Church. Olga is a native of Moscow, Russia, where she graduated from Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music.
This year the series will present:
Sunday, November 11, 2012, 4:00 p.m.
MaryAnn McCormick, Mezzo-Soprano
“The Almighty; Worship in Song!”
MaryAnn McCormick, operatic Mezzo-Soprano, will deliver a concert of classical sacred pieces, favorite hymns and beloved spirituals woven together through a changed life.
Featured composers include: Brahms, Schubert, Gounod, Purcell, Saint Saens, with arrangers Hall Johnson, John Ness Beck, H.T. Burleigh.
MaryAnn is thrilled to be presenting a concert here as her greatest love is the Lord Jesus Christ who made all this possible. ~Soli Deo Gloria~
Free-Will Offering.
Sunday, December 16, 2012, 5:00 p.m.
Choir Christmas Musical “Christmas Is Forever”
Unchanging Love in an Ever-Changing World
Created by Gary Rhodes & Claire Cloninger
Bethany Sanctuary Choir & Friends will present Christmas Is Forever, a Christmas Musical, a brilliant blend of traditional carols with fresh expressions of worship. The Christmas Story, presented through music and drama, will reveal the sparkling depth and wonder of Christmas, capture the nostalgic joy of the season and will also present the full gospel from the beginning of time — the fall of Adam and Eve — through God’s plan of salvation from the manger to the cross. Musical participants: The Choir, Soloists, “Messengers of God” Youth Choir and the Festival Orchestra. Musicians will be joined by Bethany Covenant Drama. Music Director: Olga Ljungholm. Drama Director: Ann Quinn.
Free-Will Offering.
Sunday, January 27, 2013 4:00 p.m.
Corbin Beisner, Piano
“Chopin and Liszt- Great Romantics of the Piano”
Corbin Beisner, 24, has won numerous awards including 1st Prize in the festival competition in Freiburg, Germany, He was also a laureate of the first Fulbright Concerto Competition in Arkansas. Last year, Mr. Beisner was a semi-finalist in the 2011 Louisiana Piano Competition in Alexandria, LA and the 1st prize winner of the II Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford.
Mr. Beisner has given concerts around the world, including a series of solo recitals in Spain, performances with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, the Indiana Lafayette Symphony, and with Beth El Orchestra in Hartford, CT. He resides in West Hartford, CT, where he studied with Luiz de Moura Castro and received his Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, from the Hartt School. He is the Music Director at Kensington Congregational Church in Kengsington, CT. Free-Will Offering.
Sunday, March 3, 2013, 4:00 p.m.
Organist Marsha Foxgrover
Foxgrover’s recently released CD, “Barber’s Adagio and a Concert of Organ Classics,” has been widely acclaimed. A review in the Los Angeles Times stated: “…she has to be one of the most fantastic players around. Her playing is clear, vital, and her technique is phenomenal.” She is currently organist of the Wheaton Bible Church in West Chicago, Illinois, and Batavia Covenant Church (Illinois), is on the music faculty of the College of DuPage, and was the 2010-2011 Artist-in-Residence at Aurora University, Illinois.
Marsha served as organist for the First Covenant Church, Rockford, Illinois, and was a member of the National Commission for Music and Worship of the Covenant denomination, which published “The Song Goes On” hymnal supplement.
Bethany Sanctuary Choir (Director Olga Ljungholm) and Bethany Handbell Choir (Director Steven Yantz) will participate in the concert. Free-Will Offering.
Sunday, April 28, 2013, 4:00 p.m.
“For the Beauty of the Earth”
Come and enjoy beautiful choral, vocal and instrumental music in the Bethany Covenant Church’s state-of-art Sanctuary. Bethany Sanctuary Choir & Friends will present a concert of short Choral Masterpieces from Mozart and J. Brahms to contemporary American composers. The program includes sacred music by British 20th Century composer John Rutter, one of Rutter’s pieces gave the program it’s title. The Choir will be joined by Soloists, Bethany Chorale, Bethany Brass and surprise musical guests! Free-Will Offering.
Support: You may support our music series through sponsorship (Sponsor: $500 and up, Donor: $200-$499, Friend: $50-$199, or Supporter: $25-$49) or the purchase of advertising space in the 2009-2010 concert programs: Full page (8.5″x5.5″): $300, Half page: $150, Quarter page: $100, or Business Card: $50.
Thank you again for your generous gifts which make it possible for us to bring more beautiful sacred and classical music to our congregation and the community at large. Each tax-deductible donation beyond the free-will offering during our concerts will be acknowledged in a special thank you insert in all concert programs unless you request the gift to be anonymous.
Please contact Olga Ljungholm or the church office (860-828-3637) for details on showing your support!
