Music Notes for July 3

Charles Ives on Sunday

On a Sunday adjacent to Independence day at St. Paul’s there will always be the music of America’s greatest composer, iconoclast Charles Ives. At the prelude, Rich Williams sings the epic song, “He is there” accompanied by Ginnie Schaap on piccolo whom we welcome back several Sundays this summer. The historical context of this song’s composition is the entry of the United States into World War I on April 1917. Ives reversed his beliefs concerning the war. Once an isolationist, he now saw America as the world’s symbol of freedom. The song’s text is Ives’ own and the music is full of American soul with quotation of no fewer than 14 different pre-existing songs and marching tunes such Marching Through Georgia, Columbia, Gem of the Ocean, Dixie, Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, Yankee Doodle, Over There, Reveille, Maryland, my Maryland, La Marseillaise, Tenting on the old Camp Ground, The Battle Cry of Freedom, and finally The Star-Spangled Banner (listen the piccolo as it ends the song). Ives’ naïve belief in war that would result in world-wide democracy is simplistic but an honest national expression of its time.

In July, beautiful special music at the prelude, anthems and communion will be offered by our talented parish musicians: Katy and Rich Williams, Bryan Sable, our Music Assistant, Sam Viggiano (who sang so beautifully at his sister’s June Ordination to the Deaconate), Kathleen Hendricks with choir in Vivaldi’s “Domine deus” from Gloria, Susan Vines and Cathie Buschek in works for Piano-four hands, Alice Lee in an aria from Bach’s St. John Passion, Chris Thompson singing an American Spiritual, and Ginnie Schaap in voice and on piccolo!

Books & Music

This Friday afternoon, July 1, Come browse used, rare, and local books while listening to solos and duos by Pittsburgh's own contemporary music ensemble, NAT 28. Mimi Jung will be premiering my work for solo violin, Lux noctis (Nocturnal light). Mimi recently played at St. Paul's in June and is a member of NAT 28. This informal event will take place at East End Book Exchange, 4754 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224-2034 beginning at 2:00 pm

Voces Solis at Old St. Luke's

This Sunday, July 3 at 2:00 pm Voces Solis, St. Paul’s choral artists in residence, will sing an afternoon of inspiring music at Old St. Luke's Church 330 Old Washington Pike, Carnegie, Pennsylvania. The concert repertoire of patriotic and early American choral music will be sung just in time for your July 4th festivities, including works by Alice Parker, Randall Thompson, Craig Phillips, and more. A free will offering will be taken.

Performance Jazz Camp

Our annual Jazz camp led by Saxophone Jazz artist, Lee Robinson will take place here at St. Paul's in July!

Monday July 18 through Friday July 22
Concert Tuesday, July 26^st at 7:00 pm

Performance Jazz Camp is an exciting and innovative jazz camp program. Its focus is small groups, quartets, trios and quintets quartets. The student range is elementary, middle school and high school. Individual instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome to apply.

Individuals and groups may register for PJC. The individuals who are accepted will be assigned to a jazz group to participate in the camp and closing performance.

Performance Jazz Camp focus includes performing, a great amount of playing, group interaction, performance coaching, programming, guest jazz artists (TBA) for Master Class demonstrations and having fun while learning! The PJC concludes with a student concert.

Applicants may be individuals or a existing small jazz combo or contemporary music ensemble. Please call Pattie O’Donnell about the Performance Jazz Camp and how to register. Call (412)-851-8482