This celebratory hymnfest will mark the 75th year of the vibrant and meaningful ministry of Village Presbyterian Church. I am pleased to help lead this festival featuring the Village on Mission and Village on Antioch choirs, plus brass, percussion, organ, piano, and YOU! Admission is free (a freewill offering will be gratefully received). Come be part of the congregation and sing with us!

The program includes:

The Church's One Foundation (Samuel J. Sone, Samuel S. Wesley's AURELIA, arr. Paul Manz) - hymn with congregation

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Joachim Neander, tr. Catherine Winkworth, LOBE DEN HERREN, arr. Mark Hayes) - anthem featuring choirs and congregation

Clouds of Witnesses Surround Us (Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr.; ST PAUL by Robert A. Hobby) - anthem featuring choirs and congregation

Lift Every Voice and Sing (James Weldon Johnson, J. Rosamond Johnson's LIFT EVERY VOICE, arr. Roland Carter) - anthem featuring choirs

God's Eternal Vow (Ron Witzke, VILLAGE by Anthony J. Maglione) - new hymn with congregation

I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord (Timothy Dwight, ST. THOMAS adapt. Aaron Williams) - hymn with congregation

When the Poor Ones (Cuando el pobre, EL CAMINO by José Antonio Olivar and Miguel Manzano, tr. George Lockwood, arr. James E. Bobb) - hymn with congregation

For the Beauty of the Earth (Folliot S. Pierpoint, Conrad Kocher's DIX, arr. Jan Kraybill and Cameron Carpenter) - solo

What Does the Lord Require of You? (Jim Strathdee) - hymn with congregation

God Has Work for Us to Do (Carl P. Daw, Jr.; John L. Bell, arr. Daniel Charles Damon) - hymn with congregation

The Promise of Living (Horace Everett, Aaron Copland) - anthem featuring choirs

God's Promised Day (Ron Witzke, tune VILLAGE and anthem by Anthony J. Maglione) - anthem featuring choirs and congregation

Draw the Circle Wide (Gordon Light, tune DRAW THE CIRCLE and arr. by Mark A. Miller) - hymn with congregation

I'm pleased to appear on The Hymn Society's "100 Years of Song" interview series. For more information, visit https://thehymnsociety.org/100-years-of-song-interview-series/. For past interviews, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmTFMiXIhnrcf8kmZ1F62JyTIV6ZdpeeD.

These film concerts are so much fun, with a giant screen above the live orchestra playing the music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this event.

From the KC Symphony's website:

Justin Freer, guest conductor

In the epic finale to the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war! "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert" brings the final chapter to the big screen as your Kansas City Symphony performs every note of the epic score from Alexandre Desplat. The stakes have never been higher!

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23)

These film concerts are so much fun, with a giant screen above the live orchestra playing the music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this event.

From the KC Symphony's website:

Justin Freer, guest conductor

In the epic finale to the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war! "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert" brings the final chapter to the big screen as your Kansas City Symphony performs every note of the epic score from Alexandre Desplat. The stakes have never been higher!

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23)

These film concerts are so much fun, with a giant screen above the live orchestra playing the music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this event.

From the KC Symphony's website:

Justin Freer, guest conductor

In the epic finale to the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war! "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert" brings the final chapter to the big screen as your Kansas City Symphony performs every note of the epic score from Alexandre Desplat. The stakes have never been higher!

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23)

These film concerts are so much fun, with a giant screen above the live orchestra playing the music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this event.

From the KC Symphony's website:

Justin Freer, guest conductor

In the epic finale to the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war! "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert" brings the final chapter to the big screen as your Kansas City Symphony performs every note of the epic score from Alexandre Desplat. The stakes have never been higher!

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23)

I'll be organist for the St. Andrew's choir, under the direction of Dr. Tom Vozzella, for this performance of Fauré's music on Palm Sunday evening.

Planned repertoire includes:

Tu es Petrus (St Andrew's Singers, Asher Tillman, soloist)

Ave Verum, Op. 55 (St Andrew's Singers, Lauren Auge, soloist)

Ecce Fidelis servus, Op. 54 (St Andrew's Singers)

Ave Maria, Op. 93 (Ashley Benes and Lauren Auge, soloists)

Ave Verum, Op. 65, No. 1 (Jed Kruger and Patrick Graham, soloists)

Tantum Ergo, Op. 65, No. 2 (Ashley Benes, Allison Fikejs, and Cathy Vozzella, soloists)

Requiem, Op. 48 (St Andrew's Singers, orchestra, and soloists)

From the KC Symphony website:

Matthias Pintscher, music director designate

Philippe Quint, violin

LEONARD BERNSTEIN Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

ERROLLYN WALLEN Violin Concerto (KCS co-commission)

CHARLES IVES Three Places in New England

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances

Matthias Pintscher and the musicians of the Kansas City Symphony made an immediate connection with one another in their electrifying performances together last March. Because of that incredible creative synergy, Pintscher is now music director designate and he returns with another outstanding program. Savor this wonderful music in a gripping performance by Matthias Pintscher and your Kansas City Symphony.

Filled with pulsing drive and spellbinding harmonies, Errollyn Wallen’s new Violin Concerto draws on her eclectic sensibilities. Born in Belize and now living in a lighthouse in northern Scotland, Wallen is fascinated with the rhythm of life and her music reflects deep listening. American violinist Philippe Quint returns to Kansas City to bring this new concerto to life. Quint’s opulent sound and insightful approach to new works are the perfect match for Wallen’s music.

I played the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ during Pintscher's program with the KCS last March, and I'll be back at the organ for the Ives work in this performance. I can't wait to perform with Maestro Pintscher again!

From the KC Symphony website:

Matthias Pintscher, music director designate

Philippe Quint, violin

LEONARD BERNSTEIN Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

ERROLLYN WALLEN Violin Concerto (KCS co-commission)

CHARLES IVES Three Places in New England

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances

Matthias Pintscher and the musicians of the Kansas City Symphony made an immediate connection with one another in their electrifying performances together last March. Because of that incredible creative synergy, Pintscher is now music director designate and he returns with another outstanding program. Savor this wonderful music in a gripping performance by Matthias Pintscher and your Kansas City Symphony.

Filled with pulsing drive and spellbinding harmonies, Errollyn Wallen’s new Violin Concerto draws on her eclectic sensibilities. Born in Belize and now living in a lighthouse in northern Scotland, Wallen is fascinated with the rhythm of life and her music reflects deep listening. American violinist Philippe Quint returns to Kansas City to bring this new concerto to life. Quint’s opulent sound and insightful approach to new works are the perfect match for Wallen’s music.

I played the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ during Pintscher's program with the KCS last March, and I'll be back at the organ for the Ives work in this performance. I can't wait to perform with Maestro Pintscher again!

From the KC Symphony website:

Matthias Pintscher, music director designate

Philippe Quint, violin

LEONARD BERNSTEIN Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

ERROLLYN WALLEN Violin Concerto (KCS co-commission)

CHARLES IVES Three Places in New England

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances

Matthias Pintscher and the musicians of the Kansas City Symphony made an immediate connection with one another in their electrifying performances together last March. Because of that incredible creative synergy, Pintscher is now music director designate and he returns with another outstanding program. Savor this wonderful music in a gripping performance by Matthias Pintscher and your Kansas City Symphony.

Filled with pulsing drive and spellbinding harmonies, Errollyn Wallen’s new Violin Concerto draws on her eclectic sensibilities. Born in Belize and now living in a lighthouse in northern Scotland, Wallen is fascinated with the rhythm of life and her music reflects deep listening. American violinist Philippe Quint returns to Kansas City to bring this new concerto to life. Quint’s opulent sound and insightful approach to new works are the perfect match for Wallen’s music.

I played the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant pipe organ during Pintscher's program with the KCS last March, and I'll be back at the organ for the Ives work in this performance. I can't wait to perform with Maestro Pintscher again!

I'm pleased to appear on the Carmean Music Series at Lebanon Valley College. For information about the 2023-24 series, visit https://www.lvc.edu/programs/music/carmean-music-series/.

Planned repertoire includes:

CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR (1844-1937: Intermezzo from Symphony No. 6 for Organ

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750): "Fiddle" Fugue in D minor, BWV 539b

J.S. BACH: Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr (All Glory be to God on High), BWV 676

J.S. BACH: “St. Anne” Fugue in E-flat Major, BWV 552b

GUSTAV HOLST (1874-1934), transcr. by H.G. Lay: Chaconne from First Suite for Military Band, Op. 28, No. 1

ELFRIDA ANDRÉE (1841-1929): Organ Symphony No. 1 in B minor

GUNNAR IDENSTAM (b. 1961): Menuet nordique from Cathedral Music

PAUL AYRES (b. 1970): Toccatina on “Here Comes the Sun” (based on the song by George Harrison)

LEO SOWERBY (1895-1968): Pageant

I'll lead a masterclass on organ-playing, co-sponsored by Lebanon Valley College and the Harrisburg chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Cardinalis is a professional choral ensemble, founded in 2015 by Dr. Anthony J. Maglione, which pairs William Jewell College’s Choral Scholars in an apprenticeship with professional singers from the Kansas City area. I'm pleased to join this group as organist for this event.

I always enjoy helping young people enjoy music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this program.

From the KC Symphony website:

LINK UP: THE ORCHESTRA MOVES

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Wednesday, February 21, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Thursday, February 22, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am

All tickets are $2. The Symphony no longer offers a ticket including a recorder. Schools are responsible for providing recorders to students.

Play and sing with the orchestra in this fun and engaging program from the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall.

By any definition, music moves. As organized sound, music moves through time. We can perceive music as moving through space from high to low, filling the spaces in between with harmonies, timbres, and textures. Music moves us, evoking a full range of emotional responses, and music compels us to move our bodies and create dance. Through the Link Up repertoire, hands-on activities, and a culminating interactive performance with a professional orchestra, we will discover all the interwoven ways in which the orchestra moves. Tickets are $2 per person. All orders of 50 or more seats will incur a one time $10 administrative fee.

I always enjoy helping young people enjoy music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this program.

From the KC Symphony website:

LINK UP: THE ORCHESTRA MOVES

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Wednesday, February 21, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Thursday, February 22, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am

All tickets are $2. The Symphony no longer offers a ticket including a recorder. Schools are responsible for providing recorders to students.

Play and sing with the orchestra in this fun and engaging program from the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall.

By any definition, music moves. As organized sound, music moves through time. We can perceive music as moving through space from high to low, filling the spaces in between with harmonies, timbres, and textures. Music moves us, evoking a full range of emotional responses, and music compels us to move our bodies and create dance. Through the Link Up repertoire, hands-on activities, and a culminating interactive performance with a professional orchestra, we will discover all the interwoven ways in which the orchestra moves. Tickets are $2 per person. All orders of 50 or more seats will incur a one time $10 administrative fee.

I always enjoy helping young people enjoy music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this program.

From the KC Symphony website:

LINK UP: THE ORCHESTRA MOVES

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Wednesday, February 21, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Thursday, February 22, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am

All tickets are $2. The Symphony no longer offers a ticket including a recorder. Schools are responsible for providing recorders to students.

Play and sing with the orchestra in this fun and engaging program from the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall.

By any definition, music moves. As organized sound, music moves through time. We can perceive music as moving through space from high to low, filling the spaces in between with harmonies, timbres, and textures. Music moves us, evoking a full range of emotional responses, and music compels us to move our bodies and create dance. Through the Link Up repertoire, hands-on activities, and a culminating interactive performance with a professional orchestra, we will discover all the interwoven ways in which the orchestra moves. Tickets are $2 per person. All orders of 50 or more seats will incur a one time $10 administrative fee.

I always enjoy helping young people enjoy music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this program.

From the KC Symphony website:

LINK UP: THE ORCHESTRA MOVES

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Wednesday, February 21, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Thursday, February 22, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am

All tickets are $2. The Symphony no longer offers a ticket including a recorder. Schools are responsible for providing recorders to students.

Play and sing with the orchestra in this fun and engaging program from the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall.

By any definition, music moves. As organized sound, music moves through time. We can perceive music as moving through space from high to low, filling the spaces in between with harmonies, timbres, and textures. Music moves us, evoking a full range of emotional responses, and music compels us to move our bodies and create dance. Through the Link Up repertoire, hands-on activities, and a culminating interactive performance with a professional orchestra, we will discover all the interwoven ways in which the orchestra moves. Tickets are $2 per person. All orders of 50 or more seats will incur a one time $10 administrative fee.

I always enjoy helping young people enjoy music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this program.

From the KC Symphony website:

LINK UP: THE ORCHESTRA MOVES

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Wednesday, February 21, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Thursday, February 22, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am

All tickets are $2. The Symphony no longer offers a ticket including a recorder. Schools are responsible for providing recorders to students.

Play and sing with the orchestra in this fun and engaging program from the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall.

By any definition, music moves. As organized sound, music moves through time. We can perceive music as moving through space from high to low, filling the spaces in between with harmonies, timbres, and textures. Music moves us, evoking a full range of emotional responses, and music compels us to move our bodies and create dance. Through the Link Up repertoire, hands-on activities, and a culminating interactive performance with a professional orchestra, we will discover all the interwoven ways in which the orchestra moves. Tickets are $2 per person. All orders of 50 or more seats will incur a one time $10 administrative fee.

I always enjoy helping young people enjoy music! I'll be playing keyboards on stage for this program.

From the KC Symphony website:

LINK UP: THE ORCHESTRA MOVES

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Wednesday, February 21, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am Thursday, February 22, 2024 @ 10am & 11:30am

All tickets are $2. The Symphony no longer offers a ticket including a recorder. Schools are responsible for providing recorders to students.

Play and sing with the orchestra in this fun and engaging program from the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall.

By any definition, music moves. As organized sound, music moves through time. We can perceive music as moving through space from high to low, filling the spaces in between with harmonies, timbres, and textures. Music moves us, evoking a full range of emotional responses, and music compels us to move our bodies and create dance. Through the Link Up repertoire, hands-on activities, and a culminating interactive performance with a professional orchestra, we will discover all the interwoven ways in which the orchestra moves. Tickets are $2 per person. All orders of 50 or more seats will incur a one time $10 administrative fee.

Wow, a quarter century of Super Bowl Sundays with organ concerts! My 25th annual SBS concert will be a milestone celebration. The theme will be "Most Valuable Players" -- we'll look at MVPs of the organ world, including Bach and Widor (the best-known composers for organ), Michael Barone (who just celebrated 40 years as host of PIPEDREAMS, the nation's longest-running program devoted to organ music), John Obetz (my predecessor as Community of Christ's principal organist), ground-breaking women organist/composers, the most popular guest artist from the past 25 years of SBS concerts, and more.

For many of these past twenty-five years, our Kansas City Chiefs gave us things to celebrate during their seasons but didn't quite make it to the final victory. However, the last two times I played this concert in person (2020 and 2023, interrupted by COVID) the Chiefs WON the Superbowl! So, I consider this concert part of their good-luck charms. And they've made it to the big game again this year! As is my tradition when they are in the Superbowl, I'll open the concert with a piece in their honor.

The venue for this year's concert, for the first time since 2018, is Community of Christ TEMPLE, the spiral-shaped building in the photo. Come join me in celebrating great music, a great pipe organ, and a great team!

Planned repertoire includes:

GO CHIEFS! Improvisation on football themes

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750): “Fiddle” fugue in D minor, BWV 539b

CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR (1844–1937): Intermezzo from Symphony No. 6 for Organ

HEINZ WERNER ZIMMERMANN (1930-2022): Orgel Psalmen (Organ Psalms)

LEO SOWERBY (1896-1968): Pageant

LEROY ANDERSON (1908-1975): The Typewriter

ELFRIDA ANDRÉE (1841-1929): Organ Symphony No. 1 in B minor

GUNNAR IDENSTAM (b. 1961): Menuet nordique from Cathedral Music

MARCEL DUPRÉ (1886-1971): Prelude and Fugue in B Major, Op. 7, No. 1