Music Series
| Current Music Series  |
Music Series 2011 – 2012
Welcome to Redeemer’s Music Series! We’re delighted to offer the following music events and concerts and warmly invite you to attend. Check out current and upcoming events by scrolling further down this page. (If no listings are shown below, please check back soon — we’re always updating this page with new events as they are scheduled.)
Online Ticket Purchase: As you’ll see below, for certain events, we offer online ticket purchasing – we encourage you to utilize this new service to make at least one part of your busy life a little bit easier. If a concert or event is canceled and you purchased tickets in advance online, we will make every effort to send you an email notification if you provide an email address. Tickets for any canceled events will be refunded in full; tickets for rescheduled events will not be refunded. Please note: A $2 handling fee is required for each online purchase transaction (this is NOT per ticket; just per transaction to help us cover the online costs). Also, note that you must be able to print out your PayPal Receipt and bring that receipt with you to the event as proof of ticket purchase.
Of course, you may also purchase tickets for many Redeemer music events by contacting or visiting the Parish Office at 941.955.4263, Monday through Friday, 9-5 (regular hours); as well, tickets are sometimes sold on Sunday mornings between services.
- Sunday, 12 February - Baritone Jason Stearns Brings the Magic of the Met to Redeemer
Baritone Jason Stearns Brings the Magic of the Metropolitan Opera to Sarasota’s Church of the RedeemerCelebrated baritone singer Jason Stearns will bring the talent and the magic of the Metropolitan Opera to Sarasota at the Church of the Redeemer on Sunday, February 12 at 5 p.m. The concert will feature Stearns performing many of the same arias he has previously performed at the Met and around the world.
Stearns has recently been selected by Maestro Zubin Mehta, one of the world’s most renowned conductors, to play the primary baritone role (Alverich) in an upcoming production of Richard Wagner’s The Ring of the Nibelung.
In a Baltimore Sun newspaper performance review, acclaimed soprano Evelyn Lear remarked, “Jason has it all, the superb voice, expressive feeling, versatility and charm beyond any other baritone singing today. No one can touch him.”
Some of the works and roles Stearns has performed with the Met include Barnaba in La Gioconda; Scarpia in Tosca; the title role in Der fliegende Holländer and Stankar in Stiffelio. He has also appeared as Monterone in Rigoletto and covered Donner in Das Rheingold, both at the Met.
“Sarasota music lovers are in for a rare treat when they come to hear Jason,” said Ann Stephenson-Moe, Redeemer’s Choirmaster. “He’ll bring the talent and the magic of the Metropolitan Opera to Sarasota.”
Ticket prices are $25 adults; student tickets $15. Click on the PayPal button below to purchase, or visit or call the Parish Office 941.955.4263. Tickets may also be purchased at the door the day of the event, subject to availability.
- Sunday, 15 January - Solemn Evensong
The Church of the Redeemer invites the community to attend Solemn Evensong on Sunday, 15 January at 5:15 p.m. The Anthem will be Beatus Vir by Claudio Monteverdi; Service is Pelham Humphrey’s Service in e minor. - Music of Christmas on Christmas Eve at Redeemer
On Christmas Eve, beginning at 9:30 p.m., Redeemer’s late-evening “Midnight Mass” is preceded by a joyous musical celebration of organ and brass with Bradenton organist Michael Stuart performing with two festival trumpets — played by world-renowned trumpeter Daniel Mendelow, first trumpet for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra; and well-known local trumpeter Andy Kemp. At 10 p.m., the choir of Redeemer will sing anthems and carols for thirty minutes, heralding the High Solemn Mass (Rite I with incense) which begins at 10:30 p.m. Complimentary parking is available at the M&I Bank Garage on McAnsh on Christmas Eve day beginning at 3 p.m., and ending at 1 a.m.
- Sunday, 18 December - Messiah Sing Along
The entire community is invited to join the Church of the Redeemer on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., in its annual tradition of the “Messiah Sing-Along” – a joyous singing of Georg Friedrich Handel’s Christmas Messiah – one of the best-known, most-beloved, and most frequently performed choral works in Western music. This festive, family-friendly event features members of the choirs of Redeemer singing along with the congregation, accompanied by a Chamber Orchestra and organist Ann Stephenson-Moe, under the direction of Conductor Daniel Cartlidge.
A $10 goodwill donation for tickets will be gratefully collected, and advance donations may be made via PayPal (see “Add to Cart” button below), or by calling the parish office at 941.955.4263.
Complimentary parking will be available at the M&I Bank Parking Garage on McAnsh Square between 6 and 10 p.m.
The Church of the Redeemer is located at 222 S. Palm Ave., in downtown Sarasota.
- Sunday, 11 December - Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols
A gift for the community!
Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols, Sunday, December 11 at 5:15 p.m.; featuring the Redeemer Children’s, Youth, and Adult choirs.This special service is a festive event in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ by recounting history in scripture readings from the Fall of Man, through the prophets, to the Annunciation of the Savior’s birth to Mary, with singing of many well-loved carols of Advent.
Community reception follows in Gillespie Hall (wine, punch, light snacks).
Complimentary parking for this service is available at the M&I Bank Parking Garage on McAnsh Street. For more information, call the Parish Office at 955.4263. - Wednesday, 7 December - Advent Organ Recital
The Church of the Redeemer will present a half-hour Mid-Day Advent Organ Recital on 7 December featuring Guest Organist Margaret Harris Smith. The recital begins shortly after noon at 12:10, end sat 12:40 p.m., and is free and open to the public. For more information, call 941.955.4263.
- Thursday, 1 December - Artist Concerts Series of Sarasota
A concert in celebration of Franz Liszt, presented by the Artist Concerts Series of Sarasota. Redeemer Choirmaster/Organist Ann Stephenson-Moe will perform on organ. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.“The world knows what an incredible pianist, Franz Liszt was,” says Stephenson-Moe, “but what many people don’t know is that he was just as fine an organist as he was a pianist. In fact, he wrote some of the world’s finest organ literature.”
Stephenson-Moe, who performed all of the major and minor works of Liszt for her Masters thesis says, “Liszt’s works are fantastically romantic. They range from sweet and beautiful to thundering and heart-pounding, and they all require a large organ with many colorful stops. Redeemer’s organ has so many variations of color; it’s perfectly suited to the work of Franz Liszt. The powerful Nichols & Simpson organ has a console constructed of oak with a burl eucalyptus interior of burl eucalyptus. The pipe shades draw their inspiration from the chapel’s wrought iron screening.
Suggested Ticket Donation: $25. Click on the PayPal icon below to purchase your tickets online (read the guidelines and restrictions at the top of the Music Program page above). Tickets may also be purchased through the Parish Office (955.4263) or the day of the performance, subject to availability.
- Wednesday, 30 November - Advent Organ Recital
The Church of the Redeemer will begin its Advent Season of half-hour Mid-Day Advent Organ Recitals on November 30. Each Wednesday throughout Advent, guest organists and musicians from throughout the area will come to Redeemer to provide the audience with a mid-day respite from the busy holiday season.
The recitals begin Wednesday, November 30, with Guest Harpsichordist Julane Rodgers, and continue weekly through December 21. Recitals begin shortly after noon at 12:10, end at 12:40 p.m., and are free and open to the public. For more information, call 941.955.4263.
Upcoming guest musicians:
December 7: Margaret Harris Smith
December 14: Dr. Richard Benedum
December 21: Michael Stuart - 27 November Bach Festival of Central Florida
Sunday, 27 November, at 7:30 p.m., the Church of the Redeemer will host the Bach Festival of Central Florida — one of the oldest Bach Festivals in the state of Florida. This special festival will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible by featuring a special rendition of Georg Friedrich Handel’s Christmas Messiah – one of the best-known, most-beloved, and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.Virginia Davidson, a founding member of the Bach Festival of Central Florida, will conduct a baroque orchestra, accompanied by Redeemer Organist/Choirmaster Ann Stephenson-Moe on organ. The Redeemer choir will be joined by four outstanding soloist talents: Dr. Anthony Offerle, baritone; Bryce Westervelt, tenor; Adelaide Boedecker, soprano; and Reba Evans, mezzo-soprano.
Dr. Anthony Offerle is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida – School of Music where he teaches studio voice, directs the opera program; during the summer months, he serves on the voice faculty of the prestigious Operafestival di Roma in Italy. Offerle’s credits include performances with the OperaEstate in Rome, The Cincinnati Opera, International Chamber Orchestra, Dayton Opera, Wyoming Opera, Charleston Symphony, Savannah Symphony, Evansville Philharmonic, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. He is a two-time Metropolitan Opera auditions district winner and regional finalist, a national winner of the Federation of Music Clubs vocal competition, and one of only ten Americans selected to compete in the quadrennial Marian Anderson International Vocal Competition.
Bryce Westervelt, tenor, is sought after as a soloist with opera companies, orchestras and choral groups across the USA, performing in venues such as the Washington National Cathedral, The National Building Museum, The German Embassy, and the Smithsonian.
Adelaide Boedecker, a student at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, is one of only a handful of voice students internationally to be accepted into the school’s acclaimed Master of Music program. Boedecker is a graduate of the University of Florida and a lifelong member of the Church of the Redeemer who grew up singing in the church choirs.
Redeemer's own Adelaide Boedecker will perform.
Mezzo-soprano Reba Evans studied at the University of Miami.
Mezzo-Soprano Reba Evans
The Church of the Redeemer is located at 222 S. Palm Ave., in downtown Sarasota. Suggested ticket donation is $15; students $12. Advance ticket purchase is recommended for this highly-anticipated performance; remaining tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the door on the day of the performance. To purchase tickets in advance, click on the PayPal option below to buy them online, or call the Redeemer Parish office at 941.955.4263.
- 20 November - Solemn Evensong Honoring Youth
Members of Redeemer’s all-girl Canterbury Choir. Back row (left to right): Katherine Koach, Scotlyn Srodes, Kristine Leung, Samantha Wulfsohn, Elinor Garlington, Caroline Devitt. Front row (left to right): Courtney Pollard, Carroll Forbes, Organist/Choirmaster Ann Stephenson-Moe, Jane Lindsay, Paige Lindsay, Alex Fox.
Sunday, November 20, at 5:15 p.m., the Church of the Redeemer will offer a Solemn Evensong honoring and celebrating Sarasota’s young people. This special Evensong will feature a percussion, string, and bass orchestra quartet from the Sarasota Youth Symphony. The Anthem will be Dixit Dominus by G. Galuppi with Berkshire service. This Evensong will feature Redeemer’s all-girl Canterbury Choir, which includes students from Sarasota middle and high schools as well as St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton.
In addition to learning to read music, the girls who participate in Canterbury Choir become acquainted with classical choral literature and learn to sing in Latin, French, Spanish, German and Russian. Throughout the year during Sunday morning masses at Redeemer, this special choir sings anthems specifically written for female voices.
Redeemer Organist/Choirmaster Dr. Ann Stephenson-Moe says, “Youth choirs throughout our community provide the opportunity for young people to receive not just a religious education, but a broad exposure to choral literature, language, and context for a lifelong appreciation of and involvement in history and the arts”
“Youth Evensong is Redeemer’s expression of profound gratitude for the youth of our parish and the community,” adds Stephenson-Moe, “as well as for the blessings of music.”
For many years, the Church of the Redeemer has nourished and supported an active Youth and Children’s music program, which is one of the most important outreach programs of the parish. The music education program for children and young people takes them from kindergarten through high school, beginning with the Cherubim Choir; the Westminster Choir for girls, grades 2-5; Redeemer Knights for boys, grades 2-5; and the audition-only Canterbury Choir, for girls aged 11 through high school senior year.
- Sunday, 16 October - Solemn Evensong featuring Harpsichord and Oboe d'Amour Concertos
Solemn Evensong begins at 7:00 p.m. Reception begins at 6:00 p.m.
The Sarasota/Manatee Chapter of the American Guild of Organists sponsors a harpsichord extravaganza featuring Virginia Bray, Linda Petersen, and Ann Stephenson-Moe; with Adam De Sorgo, oboe. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis for St. Paul’s Cathedral by Herbert Howells.
Robert Brooke built this harpsichord modeled after 17th century Italian design.
This Evensong features harpsichord and oboe d’amore concertos performed by the talented trio of Virginia Bray, Linda Petersen, and Ann Stephenson-Moe, harpsichords, joined by oboist Adam DeSorgo.
One of the harpsichords to be played was built in 2010 by Robert Brooke of Bradenton, and is based on an instrument built by Italy’s Giacomo Ridolfi in 1682, part of the Yale Collection of Musical Instruments. This Evensong will provide a rare opportunity for listeners to enjoy a first-hand comparison in tone between the 17th Century Italian model of harpsichord and the modern French and Flemish harpsichords more commonly used.
“The Italian instruments of the time were tonally quite different from the harpsichords we are most familiar with today,” says Brooke. “With shorter strings and strung in brass throughout, their speech is more aggressive and articulate than the majority of harpsichords being built today which are mostly patterned after Flemish and French originals.”
Unusual to modern eyes, but traditional to 17thCentury Italian design, Brooke’s harpsichord is a fragile, unadorned and very thin-cased instrument contained within a more floridly decorated outer case. The inner instrument is made largely of Italian cypress, unfinished except for furniture wax. The keys are covered in the Italian tradition of naturals in European boxwood and sharps topped in ebony. The jacks, made all of wood, are of walnut and holly. The nut and bridge are also of walnut and the soundboard is made of spruce. There are two choirs of strings at 8’ pitch, normally played together. The stand and outer case, which supports also the lid, are painted and decorated in a style compatible with styles of the 17th Century.
Music will include the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in Eb Major by Peter Ayleward.
All are welcome.
- Sunday, 18 September - Solemn Evensong
The Church of the Redeemer will hold its first Solemn Evensong of the 2011/2012 season on Sunday, 18 September at 5:15 p.m. This Evensong is a special celebration of the 400th anniversary of the King James version of the Bible and will include a wine and cheese reception on the church’s veranda immediately following the service.Music will include the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, “Short Evening Service” by Richard Ayleward, and “Civitas Sancti Tui” (Thy Holy City), by William Byrd.
All are warmly invited and welcome. For more information, call 941.955.4263.
