St. John's Sanctuary Concert Series
2008– 2009 Season
St. John's Lutheran Church is pleased to announce its 13th annual season of the Concert Series. Ten different sacred concerts have been planned for the 2008-2009 season. All events are offered free of charge, but an offering will be received. You are invited and encouraged to attend.
Bach Cantata Vespers Concert:
Gott soll allein mein Herze haben (BWV 169)
Sunday, September 21, 7:00 p.m.
Alto Soloist and Orchestra; Jubilate Choir
Cantata 169, featuring an alto soloist, was written in 1726; the cantata also features an obbligato organ part. This is the fifth year that we have started our concert season with a solo cantata. The Jubilate Choir will be singing a psalm setting and two anthems as part of the service.
Keyboard Spectacular!
Sunday, October 12, 7:00 p.m.
Five keyboard performers in one concert: Charles Raasch, Renee Cahill, William Heide, Ellen Kim, and Elisa Schaffer will play organ, piano, and harpsichord. You will enjoy this unique concert!
Bach Cantata Vespers Concert:
Wir danken dir, Gott (BWV 29)
Sunday, November 9, 7:00 p.m.
Cathedral Singers, 4 Soloists, and Orchestra
Cantata 29, “We Give You, Thanks, O Lord” was written for the Inauguration of the Leipzig City Council in 1731. The cantata opens with the famous Sinfonia for orchestra and organ. Also included in the concert is Handel’s chorus, “Zadok the Priest.”
The Sounds of Christmas
Saturday, December 13, 4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Jubilate Choir, Festival Orchestra, and Cathedral Bells
The Jubilate Choir, St. John's adult choir of 60 voices, along with a festival orchestra, will join in presenting the beautiful music of Christmas. William Heide conducts the choir and orchestra in inspiring arrangements of favorite Christmas carols. St. John’s handbell choir, the Cathedral Bells, will present three inspiring arrangements as part of the concert again this year.
Concordia University Wisconsin Wind Ensemble
Saturday, January 17, 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Louis Menchaca directs the Wind Ensemble from Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin, as part of their West Coast concert tour. The group will also perform a few selections on Sunday morning at the 8:00 and 9:30 services.
California Baptist University Women’s Chorus
Sunday, February 8, 7:00 p.m.
St. John's is happy to host the Women’s Chorus from California Baptist University in Riverside. Dr. Al Clifft directs this choir of 75 women.
Bach Cantata Vespers Concert:
Jesu, meine Freude (Motet)
Sunday, March 8, 7:00 p.m.
Cathedral Singers, 5 Soloists, and Orchestra
The beautiful motet, “Jesus Priceless Treasure,” will be featured at this vespers concert
Holy Week Concert
Palm Sunday, April 5, 7:00 p.m.
Jubilate Choir and Festival Orchestra
The Jubilate Choir, Soloists, and Festival Orchestra present the story of Christ’s suffering and death in the moving cantata, “The Seven Last Words of Christ” by Theodore Dubois.
Cathedral Bells Handbell Concert
Sunday, May 3, 4:00 p.m.
The Cathedral Bells, St. John’s premiere Handbell Choir, presents an inspiring concert of handbell music. Ramona Miller, director of the Cathedral Bells, has chosen a varied program that will be very interesting to the audience.
Bach Cantata Vespers Concert:
Gott ist mein Koenig ( BWV 71)
Sunday, June 7, 7:00 p.m.
Cathedral Singers, 4 Soloists, and Orchestra
Cantata 71, “God is my King,” was composed very early in Bach’s career, in 1708. It was written for the inauguration of the Muehlhausen Town Council. The nature of the cantata calls for a full orchestra with trumpets, and also an organ obbligato part, quite like Cantata 29 that is performed in November.
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We encourage your support by participating in the Patron Program, which funds most of the expenses involved in producing the Concert Series. Since the freewill offerings do not cover the entire costs of the concerts, we need your support to ensure the continuation of this ministry to the community. A listing of all patrons will appear in each concert program. Please refer to the Patron Program Enrollment Form for more details.
Again this year we will offer five Bach Cantata Vespers. An organ prelude will begin each vespers concert, which will also include Bible readings, two hymns, and a short sermon. The choir, soloists, and orchestra are conducted by William Heide; Charles Raasch is the organist.
Please note that all of our concerts are much more comfortable because we are now air conditioned! All of the concerts are held in St. John's historic sanctuary, located at the corner of Almond and Center in Old Towne Orange.
Your are also welcome to worship God with us at our regular worship services:
6:30 p.m. Saturday Service
8:00 a.m. Traditional Liturgy
9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Blended Style Worship
9:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Contemporary Services
(Walker Hall Auditorium)
