Concert Series
Next Concert: Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 3:00 pm - Gwendolyn Bowers, Mezzo Soprano, assisted by Marie Corley, pianist
“The Cross Was His Own,” a collaboration of classical, spirituals, and hymns for Lenten meditation.
Gwendolyn Bowers, a versatile performer and native of Iowa, completed her undergraduate work in vocal performance at the Eastman School of Music. She went on to winning awards in such prestigious competitions as the Enrico Caruso International Voice Competition, Chicago’s WGN Auditions of the Air, The Metropolitan Opera Regionals as well as receiving a five-year grant from the William Mattheus Sullivan Foundation in New York. Ms. Lentz was also awarded a two-year apprenticeship with Houston Grand Opera Studio. In the title role of Houston’s production of Dido and Aeneas the Houston Chronicle wrote”…the best singing in Sunday’s performance came from Gwendolyn Lentz, who played the title role…” Gwendolyn went on to do numerous performances as Cherubino with Texas Opera Theater’s touring production of Le Nozze di Figaro. Gwendolyn’s talents have taken her to Japan and Australia for concert recitals. In 2008 she sang the role of Ulrica in Un Ballo in Maschera with Des Moines Metro Opera.
Sunday, April 28, 2019 3:00 pm
Hershey Handbell Ensemble, Dr. Shawn Gingrich, director
This locally-acclaimed group, will provide a concert of original music, arrangements of familiar music, classical music, and lighter fare for handbells, playing on seven and a half octaves of handbells, six octaves of chimes, and various other instruments. The group has recorded 6 CDs that will be available for purchase.
Friday, May 24, 2019 at 7:00 pm - Alex Ashman, Organist
A native of Mount Union Pennsylvania, Alex Ashman is a graduate of Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. He will complete a masters degree in organ performance in May 2019 at Rutger’s University where he studies organ with Renée Anne Louprette. He is the director of music for Saint Saviour Roman Catholic Parish in Brooklyn, NY and the Assistant Director of Liturgical Music at Fordham University in Bronx, NY. Alex has just been appointed the director of music for St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral in Harrisburg beginning in June.
Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 7:00 pm - Youth Choir Concert
We will host a special youth choir concert featuring a traveling choir from the western part of the country. The details will be shared later since this tour is a mystery to the participants and we don't want to spoil their surprise destinations.
Monday, July 1, 2019 at 7:00 pm - Forté Handbell Quartet
Based in Colorado Springs, Forté is an advanced quartet marked by artistry, energy, and dedication to their craft. In pursuit of musical excellence, Forté strives to explore, innovate, inspire, and glorify God through the gift of music.
Formed in 2007, Forté began as an extended outlet for advanced ringers in Colorado Springs and immediately began to be featured in several concerts and tours with the Pikes Peak Ringers. But with an ever-expanding repertoire and the enhanced scheduling flexibility that only a small ensemble can provide, Forté soon emerged as a unique performance and educational quartet, quickly developing an elite reputation within the handbell world. The musicians of Forté – Luke Nabeta, Megan Reishus, Dillon Ekle, and Tory Marting – continually challenge themselves to “Rethink Possible,” expanding their musical and performance horizons, adding original compositions and arrangements to their already-challenging repertoire, and seeking out new performance venues and educational opportunities. In the past few years, Forté has had an increasingly active schedule of concerts and recordings. They have been featured performers and faculty at Handbell Musicians of America events, have presented several successful tours across the country, and are planning several more tours and recording projects in the coming years.
Other Special Concerts
The Hershey Community Chorus will present their concert in our Sanctuary on Friday, May 17, 2018 at 7:00pm.