Arts at First Presbyterian
The Arts at First Presbyterian concert series started in 2001 as an opportunity for church members to invite their friends and neighbors to quality artistic events. Over the years the series has featured professional choirs such as the Lyric Consort and Robert Dale Chorale, folk singer Jay Smar, cellist Iris Jortner and pianist Daria Rabotkina, Mock Turtle Marionette Theater, Presbybop Jazz Quartet, organist Mark Laubach, and others.
2008-2009 Concert Series season at a glance:
Sunday, September 28, 2008 4:00 pm
Chamber Music Concert with Sophie Till, violinist and Ron Stabinsky, pianist
Sunday, November 2, 2008 4:00 pm
Folk/Bluegrass Concert with the Young Geezers
Sunday, November 23, 2008 4:00 pm
A Celebration of Song with the First Presbyterian Church choirs and orchestra
Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:00 pm (juggler), 11:30-2:00 pm (art show)
An Afternoon of Juggling and Art with juggler Rob Smith and local artists.
Food and Entertainment in the Love Song Cafe.
Saturday, February 21, 2009 4:00 pm
Handbell Workshop Closing Concert
Sunday, March 8, 2009 4:00 pm
Presbybop Jazz Quartet- “Make a Joyful Noise Suite” by Billy Taylor
Sunday, April 19, 2009 2:00 pm (workshop), 4:00 pm (concert)
“Simple Gifts” Workshop and Concert
All concerts will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 300 School Street, Clarks Summit. Concerts are open to the public free of charge, but a free-will offering will be taken to help defray the costs of the event.
About the Artists
Sophie Till, violinist, and Ron Stabinsky, pianist
Sunday, September 28, 2008 4:00 pm
“Each time we have presented Sophie Till and Ron Stabinsky in concert at WVIA, we have filled the house and audiences have been moved and charmed by their artistry.” Larry Vojtko, WVIA-FM
Violinist Sophie Till and pianist Ron Stabinsky are two of our area’s finest musicians, and have gained both regional and international recognition through their performances of the complete Beethoven Sonatas for Violin and Piano here and in the UK. They’ve been playing together for twelve years, performing a variety of repertoire. Till is currently head of the string department at Marywood University and Artist-in-Residence at Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School. Stabinsky is an accompanist for many local ensembles, and continues his piano studies with Edna Golandsky in New York City and other mentors.
Young Geezers, a folk/bluegrass group
Sunday, November 2, 2008 4:00 pm
Enjoy the versatile sounds of the Young Geezers, a trio who offer a repertoire of folk, bluegrass, old-timey gospel, blues, and Texas swing music. Tony Kearney is a talented and long-time folksinger who plays both guitar and mandolin. He is a longstanding member of the Northeast Pennsylvania Folklore Society and has been performing folk music at venues throughout northeastern Pennsylvania for over 30 years. Rap Parsons is an accomplished guitar and mandolin player who also plays the dobro and banjo. He has been singing and playing bluegrass, blues and old-timey music since his youth in West Virginia. Dan Townsend has been playing guitar, on and off, since college, and has long enjoyed singing and playing many kinds of music, including folk and bluegrass.
This event is a benefit concert for Camp Lackawanna.
A Celebration of Song with the First Presbyterian Church choirs and orchestra
Sunday, November 23, 2008 4:00 pm
This concert will feature the Adult and Teen vocal choirs, Adult and Teen bell choirs, Children’s Choir, and Music with Friends (church orchestra) of the First Presbyterian Church. The church’s music program is directed by Susan Kelly, one of the area’s most respected choral directors. Susan is also the Director of Choirs at Abington Heights High School, the Director of Children’s and Youth programs of The Choral Society of NEPA, conductor of its Cantare Choir, and a member of the highly acclaimed 8-voice professional vocal ensemble, The Lyric Consort. She will conduct the Adult and Teen vocal choirs in this program. Other directors include Dick Cochrane (bell choirs), Connie Weiss (Children’s Choir), and Laurie Klein (Music with Friends).
Juggler Rob Smith and art show (part of Ice Festival in Clarks Summit)
Saturday, February 14, 2009 Juggler at 2:00 pm, Art Show from 11:30-2:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church will participate this year in the Clarks Summit Festival of Ice, and will be host to one of the beautiful ice sculptures. It will be a lively site for various activities.
From 11:30 to 2:00, Fellowship Hall will be transformed into the Love Song Cafe, which will serve chili, desserts and refreshments, and feature entertainment by pianist Bill Carter, bassist Tony Marino, soprano Jessica Hitchcock, baritone Steve Owens, and other musicians from our congregation. You will hear love songs and other music sure to put you into a romantic mood. All proceeds from the cafe go towards supporting Camp Lackawanna.
In the sanctuary, juggler Rob Smith will be on hand at 2:00 to entertain everyone as he flawlessly juggles balls, clubs, fire torches and rings - not to mention flying knives! - with razor sharp accuracy. While upstairs, check out a display of artwork in the Session Room which will feature works by members of the congregation.
Handbell Workshop closing concert
Saturday, February 21, 2009 4:00 pm
This is the closing concert for a day-long bell workshop directed by Ron Bellamy, solo handbell ringer and clinician from Lancaster. Participating bell choirs will be performing a few mass-rung pieces as well as selections on their own.
Presbybop Jazz Quartet- “Make a Joyful Noise Suite” by Billy Taylor
Sunday, March 8, 2009 4:00 pm
The Presbybop Quartet is a musical venture of Rev. Bill Carter, jazz pianist and pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Clarks Summit. Presbybop Music integrates his strong Presbyterian faith with the rhythms of bebop. Formed in 1993 the band has become known for its creative and tuneful music. Based in northeastern Pennsylvania, this group of consummate professionals has presented jazz concerts and worship services all around the country. To date, Presbybop Quartet has recorded seven compact discs.
Simple Gifts folk music duo- workshop and concert
Sunday, April 19, 2009 2:00 pm (workshop), 4:00 pm (concert)
Come hear one of the finest folk groups on tour today. The Simple Gifts folk duo, Karen Hirshon and Linda Littleton, play a wide variety of ethnic folk music, including everything from lively Irish jigs and down-home American reels to hard-driving Klezmer freilachs , haunting Gypsy melodies, and exotic Balkan dance tunes. Throughout their performance, Simple Gifts puts their own distinctive stamp on traditional tunes, creating some of the finest arrangements in folk music today. This award-winning band performs on an impressive array of instruments, including two violins, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, recorders, and guitar plus some more unusual instruments like the bowed psaltery, baritone fiddle, banjolin, guitjo, and doumbek. They are also offering a musicians’ workshop earlier in the afternoon, where participants will join together to form a band, arrange a piece of music, and then perform it during the public concert.