Archive from the 2005 - 2006 Program Year

Former TPC Assistant Organist Christian Lane returns to perform a varied program of organ music by Widor, Alain, Liszt, William Bolcom and Thierry Escaich on the 4-manual Austin organ in the sanctuary. Chris is currently serving as Assistant Organist at St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, in New York. The program is free and open to the public.

Listen to the Johann Franz von Herbeck: Pueri Concinite with Robert Swensen, tenor, and The Chancel Choir, from the 2002 Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols. (MP3 file - 4.2 MBytes)

The Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival

Saturday, January 7 at 4:00pm
Sunday, January 8 at 4:00pm

Read the News Story in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle "Epiphany traditions bring light to season"

Our biennial Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival was once again the culmination of our celebration of Christmas and Epiphany. Dating back to 14th century England, this festival procession included much pageantry, thrilling music by the choir, and much carol singing by choir and audience, accompanied by organ and instruments.

The two performances were each be followed by a reception hosted by the royal court, and full of goodies which included plenty of mince tarts, plum pudding, and a wassail bowl! Many thanks to everyone who worked to make this event successful!

This third program of the Chapel Concert by Candlelight series will feature music for cello, accompanied by baroque guitar and archlute. Music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Giovanni Zamboni, Giuseppe Antonio Doni, Santiago de Murcia, Antonio Vivaldi and others.

The first two programs in the series have been wonderfully successful, with a large audience in attendance! Plan to attend this unique concert – a real change of pace – in the beauty and acoustical splendour of our own Chapel, and invite friends to join you.

Donations will be accepted to support this and future concerts. Generous support is also provided by the David B. Reed Program Fund.

The Concert Choir from Presbyterian-related Alma College in Alma, Michigan, will present a wonderful evening of choral music in our Sanctuary, as they conclude their annual Spring Tour. The 58-voice choir is under the direction of Dr. Will Nichols, and we are delighted to welcome them to Third Church. A free-will offering will be received.

For more than 80 years the Alma College Choirs have offered Alma students the opportunity to sing and travel together. The shared musical experiences build friendships that have proven to last a lifetime and the traditions of the Choirs forge a unique connection between alumni and current Choir members.

The 80-minute concert will include sacred music by Sweelinck, Bruckner, Rachmaninoff, and Virgil Thomson, and secular songs by Handel, Debussy, and others. The Alma Choir will travel to Scotland in May, so their concert in Rochester will also include several Scottish folk songs. A male octet from the choir, Scots on the Rocks, will also perform.

This is your last chance this season to experience the beauty and intimacy of early music performed in the wonderful acoustic of our chapel. This popular series of Chapel Concerts by Candlelight has attracted between 75 and 100 people for each of the first three programs. The final program in the series for this season will present “Music for Violin and Basso continuo.” Music by Pietro Paolo Melij, Biagio Marini, Dario Castello, Arcangello Corelli and others. Please join us for this unique opportunity, and invite your friends to join you.

This series has been made possible in large part through the generosity of gifts to the David B. Reed Program Fund. Donations will be accepted to provide support for this and future concerts.

This beautiful Requiem was written in 1985, and follows in the pattern established by Brahms and Fauré, setting a personal selection of texts rather than adhering strictly to the texts of the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass. It includes some of the traditional text, but also includes psalms and prayers from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer (1662). The choir and soloists will be accompanied by organ and a chamber instrumental ensemble.

The beloved Bible story of Jonah and the Whale is brought to life with music, humor and frolicking fun. It is a story about repentance, God’s call, responsibility and believing that there is compassion and mercy for all who turn to God. Be sure to come and hear these talented children in this magical musical production.

The youth of our church will present a free concert of music they have prepared throughout the year for our enjoyment and inspiration. It will include festive and reflective anthems sung by the Covenant Singers, and wonderful pieces performed by the Junior High Bells and Covenant Ringers.

Everyone is invited to join us for this great celebration of the talent that our youth have been given and that they will share with us!

This service is the annual celebration and recognition of the many persons who participate in the music ministry of Third Church, and serves as the culmination of the year's program for children's youth, and handbell choirs. Several of the musical groups will participate as we celebrate the talent and dedication of so many persons in our congregation sharing their gifts to the glory of God.

The Chancel Choir has been invited to sing a Service of Choral Evensong at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church in the city as a part of their series Music at St. Andrew’s. The service will include Plainchant canticles, and choral music by Hans Leo Hassler, Richard Sheppard, Bobby McFerrin and Samuel Barber. Readings and prayers will be led by clergy from both Third Church and St. Andrew.

The church on Portland Avenue is a beautiful worship space with glorious acoustics, and has been lovingly restored by the faith community there. Please come and support the choir - and the parish of St. Andrew - as together we affirm our mutual goals of bringing beauty to the city.

This concert will feature the Third Church Ringers, Chapel Bells and Freedom Ringers in a varied and entertaining program. All are welcome. Come support our marvelous bell choirs.

Peter DuBois will perform a Showcase Recital on the recently installed Italian Baroque Organ in the Herdle Fountain Court at the Memorial Art Gallery on Sunday May 21 at 5:30pm. The program will feature music by Frescobaldi, Merulo and several other Italian and European composers from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Tickets are $12 (students $8) and will be available at the door.

On Sunday, June 4 at 4:00pm, the Chancel Choir will present a Service of Choral Evensong in the sanctuary, followed by a reception in Johnston Hall. This 45-minute service of scripture, prayer, and music, based on traditions observed in the Anglican church for many centuries, will feature some of the music the choir prepared for its last tour in England and Scotland. It will also feature the wonderful new anthem, Seek him that maketh the seven stars by Jonathan Dove. Other composers represented include: Charles V. Stanford, Richard Shephard, Sir John Stainer, and mystical Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. This evensong will also mark the last time that Assistant Organist Matthew Brown will be accompanying the Choir.

Invite friends and neighbors to join you...you won't want to miss this special worship experience!

Stop by the Third Church Gallery (outside Johnston Hall) and view the new exhibit, which displays photos and other memorabilia from the Chancel Choir's tour to England and Scotland in the summer of 2005. Included are many photos and items from their time as choir-in-residence at London's St. Paul's Cathedral, as well as their concerts in Ely and Edinburgh, and private choral workshop with composer Andrew Carter.

The exhibit will be on display throughout the summer.