Arts at St. John’s
Tuesday 29 April at 6pm
Piano Teachers Congress of NY
Part 1 at 6:00 pm
Music by
JS Bach, Brahms, Chopin, Guaraldi, Mozart, Prokofiev, and Ravel
Part 2 at 7:30 pm
Music by
Beethoven, Chopin, Daquin, Gliere, Guaraldi, Kabalevsky, Linn, Liszt, Ravel and Schubert
Learn more about the Piano Teachers Congress of NY here.
Friday 2 May at 7pm
Vira Slywotzky
Vira Slywotzky has performed principal roles with Seattle Opera, Chautauqua Opera, Chelsea Opera, Center for Contemporary Opera, Light Opera of New York, Sarasota Opera, Boston Midsummer Opera and Victor Herbert Renaissance Project – LIVE!, and has appeared in concert with Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, Hudson Festival Orchestra, Rockland Camerata and New Haven Chamber Orchestra. She has sung recitals, concerts and cabarets in New York at DiMenna Center, Merkin Hall, Metropolitan Room, Opera America, Sheen Center, SubCulture, Symphony Space, The Duplex, Ukrainian Institute, Ukrainian Museum and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. Internationally Slywotzky has performed at the Hudson Music Festival in Hudson, CA, Festival D’Avignon in Avignon, FR, at Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the American Church in Paris, FR, at the Armel Opera Festival in Szeged, HU, at the Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory in St. Petersburg, RU and at the Gustov Adolf Church in Sundsvall, SE.
Saturday 3 May at 1pm
Filigree Ensemble: Monstrous Gaia
Filigree Ensemble presents Monstrous Gaia, a powerful and moving journey that explores the complicated relationship between Earth and humankind through poetry, vocal artistry, and instrumental meditations. From the mysticism of Hildegard to the chromatic drama of George Crumb, this program explores the fiercely beautiful and fraught relationship between our planet and its people. This inspiring story features the works of Beethoven, Haydn, Jake Heggie, Emily Lau, Francesca Caccini, and a world premiere by rising composer Anika Christensen (Harvard ’25). We invite you to join us for a reception after the performance!
Artists
Christina Kay, soprano & Kim Leeds, mezzo-soprano
Andrew Koutroubas, cello
Erika Switzer, piano
Tickets
Tickets (from $33) are available online and at the door.
Sunday 4 May at 2.30pm in Revelation Gallery
New York Gregorian Chant Project
Learn to read, sing, and appreciate the music of the medieval church. The New York Gregorian Chant Project meets every Sunday at 2.30pm in Revelation Gallery. Register or find out more information by emailing the Director, Lawrence Harris (chantproject@stjvny.org). Enter the gallery at 224 Waverly Place.
For full information about the Chant Project see here.
Sunday 4 May at 3pm
Student Piano Recital: The Studio of Kelly Lin
More information to follow soon.
Friday 9 May at 10.15am and 11.45am
Valerie Green/Dance Entropy: HOME
Valerie Green/Dance Entropy is pleased to present HOME, a part of our Neighborhood School Series. HOME is an international performance experience with dances from Colombia, Sweden, India, Burkina Faso, Lebanon, and the USA, examining what HOME means around the globe. The performance includes colorful costumes, music from around the world, and audience participation throughout.
Appropriate for Grades 3 and up. Please email programs@greenspacestudio.org to rsvp. Free to attend.
Learn more about Dance Entropy here.
Friday 9 May at 8pm
The Art Mob: Old Salts, Great Wails
In spring, The Art Mob’s fancy turns to thoughts of the ocean and all who sail her. And you can bet that sailing will not be all we sing about. Think mermaids, biblical tempests, miserable job descriptions, and death by whale. On the brighter side, we’ve somehow included cowboys, fireworks, and love, love, love! Join us as we hoist the mainsail on our best program ever. Thar we blow!
Tickets ($21.50) on the door and in advance here.
This concert is repeated on Saturday 10 May.
Saturday 10 May at 1pm
Celebration of Identity for AAPI Month
In honor of AAPI month, the concert is titled “Celebration of Identity”- a musical exposition exploring the Asian American identity. It will have solo violin with piano and feature works by Dvorak, Chen Geng, and Chen Yi. A reception with light bites and Mahjong will be provided after the concert to provide a chance to the audience members to connect.
More details to follow.
Saturday 10 May at 8pm
The Art Mob: Old Salts, Great Wails
In spring, The Art Mob’s fancy turns to thoughts of the ocean and all who sail her. And you can bet that sailing will not be all we sing about. Think mermaids, biblical tempests, miserable job descriptions, and death by whale. On the brighter side, we’ve somehow included cowboys, fireworks, and love, love, love! Join us as we hoist the mainsail on our best program ever. Thar we blow!
Tickets ($21.50) on the door and in advance here.
This is a repeat of the concert on Friday 9 May.
Sunday 11 May at 3pm
Harmony Three
Music for clarinet, bassoon, and oboe.
Tuesday 13 May at 7pm
Hydra Winds
Join award winning quintet, Hydra Winds, in their debut concert series. Featuring works by Reena Esmail, Maurice Ravel, Valerie Coleman, and more, this program is a journey through diverse musical landscapes. With each piece, you'll experience the power of storytelling, the beauty of intricate melodies, and energetic rhythms. An unforgettable evening that promises to captivate every listener.
Suggested donation at the door: $20. Any amount is welcome and appreciated.
Instagram: @hydrawinds
Facebook: Hydra Winds
Email: hydrawinds@gmail.com
Thursday 15 May at 8pm
Journeys by Tapestry
This program will explore many of the ways that journeys can be experienced, whether they are real, fanciful, imposed, or longed for.
Our musical journeys include a whimsical look at destinations, modes of transportation, an immigrant’s gentle longing for home, the joy of swift motion, a transition from wakefulness into sleep, the pressing need for sanctuary, a displaced population’s search for community in a chaotic world, and more.
Tickets: $30 in advance here or pay-what-you-like on the door.
The concert is repeated on Saturday 17 May (see below), when it is followed by the Barnes, Ahn, Valverde album release reception.
Friday 16 May at 7pm
Queer Voices Sung: Musical Theatre Favorites
Queer Voices Sung is a monthly LGBTQ+ concert series at St John’s, curated by soprano Any Anderson.
Saturday 17 May at 11.30am
NYC Guitar School student Suzuki Recital (Sacred Sites 2025)
This concert is free to attend.
Learn more about the New York City Guitar School here.
Saturday 17 May at 8pm
Journeys by Tapestry (Sacred Sites 2025)
This program will explore many of the ways that journeys can be experienced, whether they are real, fanciful, imposed, or longed for.
Our musical journeys include a whimsical look at destinations, modes of transportation, an immigrant’s gentle longing for home, the joy of swift motion, a transition from wakefulness into sleep, the pressing need for sanctuary, a displaced population’s search for community in a chaotic world, and more.
Tickets: $30 in advance here or pay-what-you-like on the door.
The concert is a repeat of the performance on Thursday 17 May.
Sunday 18 May at 3pm
David Oei Classical Salon Series (Sacred Sites 2025)
This concert will feature the boisterous Dohnanyi Sextet for piano, winds, and string trio. Also on the program will be the Gliere Duo for violin and cello and the Schnittke Suite in the Old Style for violin and piano.
Suggested donations at the door: $30. Any amount is welcome and appreciated.
Monday 19 May at 7pm
Ignacio Ojeda Romero & Friends: Sextet
Sextet concert, featuring Andrea Abel (flute), Gabriel Henkin (clarinet), Madeline Hocking (violin), Clara Cho (cello), Jonathan Collazo (percussion), and Nacho Ojeda (piano). Contemporary music repertoire (music composed in the last 50 years).
Thursday 22 May at 7pm
Muses on the Hudson: Andrei Koroveinikov
Muses on the Hudson presents pianist Andrei Koroveinikov.
Details to follow.
Saturday 24 May at 2pm
There is Nothing to Explain
A portrait concert featuring the works of composer James Warner Duquette, performed by a selection of outstanding interpreters/performers of contemporary music in New York.
This concert is free to attend and no prior registration is required.
Saturday 24 May at 7pm
Exalt Chamber Music
Exalt is an ensemble of the finest classical musicians dedicated to performing Western classical chamber music as a reflection of the pinnacle of human achievement. We are united by the commitment to beauty, objective truth, the flourishing of the human spirit, respect for tradition, and artistic independence.
Exalt was founded to revive a profound appreciation for the Western artistic tradition. We combine performances of iconic chamber works with engaging intellectual discussions and fellowship. Through these efforts, we aim to deepen understanding, celebrate beauty, and ensure the high arts remain a vibrant, living legacy.
Sunday 25 May at 3pm
Ocean Music Garden Concert
Music in the al fresco setting of St John’s solarium and courtyard garden.
Learn more about Ocean Music here.
Friday 30 May at 7pm
Contrast in Colors
Music by Ravel and Beethoven for voice, strings, and piano. No advance ticketing: on the door only. $20 ($15 students and seniors).
Sunday 8 June at 3pm
Arielle Kaplan - Recorder
Arielle Kaplan plays unaccompanied descant recorder renditions of songs by Indigo Girls, Alanis Morisette, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Norah Jones, Elton John, Lionel Ritchie, Phil Collins, and others.
Admission $20 on the door (no advance ticketing).
PREVIOUS EVENTS AT ST JOHN’S
still available on-line
In Her Image: Accord Treble Choir
In Her Image was a provocative concert program that explored the spectrum of meanings we find in the experience of being a woman. As there is no universal human experience, so too the lives of women reflect infinite combinations of social, cultural, political, racial, economic, and environmental circumstance. Some pieces in this program highlighted the struggle of being a woman in a world still largely governed by patriarchy. Others inspires us to envision women as individuals unencumbered by this constraint. Still others dared us to see the world, the planet itself, or a higher power, as a feminine being: an essential force with which we can commune, in a reality free of hierarchy and oppression.
These pieces ask questions and claim space: “What happens when a woman takes power?” demands Alexandra Olsavsky’s driving anthem. “Where was I the day I finally found my place?” echoes Sarah Kirkland Snider in a haunting setting of a Nathaniel Bellows poem. Celebrated NYC composer Stefania de Kenessey sets challenging lyrics by Annie Finch, in a world premiere: “He who hides a woman’s spirit/ loses his own birth within it,” calls one verse. Hear these works along with pieces by Joan Szymko, Zanaida Robles, Libby Larsen, Chen Yi, Katerina Gimon, Eva Ugalde, and others. Audiences are welcome to a reception following the concert.
The concert can still be viewed here.
Spring Winds
Four Wind Quintets by Robert Martin. Learn more about Robert Martin here. The concert can still be enjoyed here:
The Turbulent Life and Times of Nicholas Lanier
Nicholas Lanier was the first Master of the King's Music in the reign of Charles I (1625 - 1649). Internationally renowned as a lutenist, song writer and art expert he joined the dots between politics, poetry and art at one of the most culturally ambitious courts of the seventeenth century. His songs were collected and published for decades after his heyday. But as Lanier and his fellow court musicians experienced tumultuous times, their music reflects both the languid serenity of a Golden Age and sorrow at its destruction.
Alan Fellows, Ryland Angel, Eric Brenner, Tommy Wazelle, Rod Gomez, and Alison Cheesman: voice, viols, theorbo, and chamber organ.
The concert is available here.
Queer Voices Sung: Songs of Love
Monthly Tuesday evening concert series exploring repertoire by LGBTQ+ composers.
You can still view this concert on YouTube here.
Queer Voices Sung: Handel
Exploring the music of George Frideric Handel (1685-1759). This concert was the first of a series of monthly Tuesday evening concerts exploring the music of LGBTQ+ composers.
View the concert here.
Christmas at St John’s - Áine Cassidy in Concert
Áine Cassidy, the golden voiced soprano from the Emerald Isle, presented a seasonal mix of Christmas classics and operatic favorites. Cassidy is one of Ireland's finest young singers, whose operatic and concert performances have taken her all over the world. Áine was joined by Derrick Goff, an incredible pianist and conductor who has worked at the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Nuovo and the Florida Grand Opera studio to name but a few. You can still view this concert (free) here.
Comfort and Joy: A Musical Solstice Celebration
For millennia, people all over the world have recognized the winter solstice as an important astronomical occurrence and celebrated through rituals to ward off the dark and cold, until the return of the sun. Centuries-old solstice traditions continue to influence the holidays we celebrate now. Join TRANScend on the Winter solstice as they present contemplative and joyous music and poetry from solemn and celebratory rituals from around the world. This concert was both in-person and also live-streamed.
Tickets (from $5) for the stream are still available here.
An Afternoon of Synthesis: Bex Yurivna, minus32heartbeat
Bex Yurivna and minus32heartbeat presented an intimate afternoon concert showcasing two very distinct yet complementary musical styles. Bex Yurivna is a synthesist and composer in the realm of experimental electronic music. As a one-woman orchestra, Bex harnesses the power of analog synthesizers, drum machines, pedals, and her voice to breathe new life into the music of antiquity through technology. Her compositions are a fusion of ambient textures, nature sounds, and historical echoes, reflecting her deep-rooted fascination with early recorded sound and music. minus32heartbeat is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer whose debut album DHRICMV was released in September. Combining guitar-driven alternative rock with modern electronic and ambient production, the album has been heralded as “a soul-searching exploration of love and life.” This concert showcased these original recordings through a re-imagined minimalist performance along with interpretations of other contemporary works.
The concert can still be viewed (free) here.
For Many Reasons - Beautiful You
XINSHENG（心声）Chinese Chamber Choir
XINSHENG（心声 Chinese Chamber Choir was founded in New York in 2023 by Chenchen Li, a Columbia University and Central Conservatory of China alumnus. This dynamic choir, comprising diverse professionals, which performs a mix of Mandarin and English songs.
The performance featured five choral pieces and two a cappella songs, including: Reflections on our hometown and sense of belonging ("Falling Leaves Return to Roots"), Harmony in our unique talents ("The Song of Voice Parts"), Deep love in a small mountain town ("Kangding Love Song"), Everything is a confession of our love ("Beautiful You"), and The reasons behind our singing (" For Many a Reason|Sing").
You can still enjoy the concert live-stream here.
Dialogue of the Times
Daniel Beliavsky, piano
Nuné Melik, violin
An evening of piano and violin explorations featuring music by Schubert, Enescu, Foss, Del Tredici, and Harris.
The concert can still be viewed here.
Eternal Sound: Jazz Meets Spirituality
Eternal Sound
Dennis Mueller – The Jazz Pastor
I combine spirituality with modern music – especially jazz. What excites me about jazz is improvisation. Moments of immediate creativity, whether in a concert or in a church service. What is crucial is that I as a musician and my listeners are touched. That we are together in flow.
Spirituality meets jazz – we explore the depths of art and religion, ultimately culminating in the momentum, the moment when you feel: Everything is there, everything is one, the sound, the space, the music, and me.
The concert can still be viewed here:
Hear My Voice: A Pride Concert by TRANScend and Guests
TRANScend, the vocal ensemble of Odd Voices NYC, under the direction of Felix Graham, presented this concert of new and old choral music for Pride Month. Whether evoking delight in spring, the transcendent joy of love or the agony of loss, choral music has beautifully illustrated the human experience for centuries. New music from composer in residence, Hannah Cai Sobel, as well as contemporary and traditional pieces from the Western choral canon, including John Michael Trotta, Alice Parker, Dietrich Buxtehude and others.
This concert was both in-person and also live-streamed. Tickets for the stream (from $5) here.
Operatic Delights
Indulge and let the soaring soprano Julia Garcia, accompanied by the brilliant pianist Juan Lazaro, transport you to some of Opera's most dramatic moments with captivating arias and duets. Featuring tenors Nicholas Farrauto and Vincenzo Fiorito. Unforgettable musical moments await!
Enjoy this performance here.
For the full program see here.
Sonic Architectures - The Orange Road String Quartet
The Orange Road String Quartet presented a program of quartets that build elaborate and interweaving structures at the intersection of the secular and the spiritual. Featuring music by Caroline Shaw, inti figgis-vizueta, and Iannis Xenakis, each piece served as a unique meditation on architecture and its various forms.
Caroline Shaw: Ritornello (2015)
inti figgis-vizueta: mayu (the great river) (2021)
Iannis Xenakis: Tetras (1983)
You can still view this concert (free) here.
Hevreh Ensemble
NYC-based Hevreh Ensemble performed compositions by group member Jeff Adler.
Audiophile Audition:
“A new sort of aesthetic that defies description... Clean, Tight, Creative — moments that are a kind of Jazz-meets-World; Jazz-meets-Classical; World-influenced-Classical.
Their concerts have delighted audiences and critics alike with appearances throughout the US and Europe and Iceland with concerts in Vienna, Berlin, Bonn, Amsterdam, Prague, and Krakow.
This concert is still available (free) here.
Learn more about Hevreh Ensemble here.
The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble: Ke Keresh di Mi
Join Western Wind for a captivating evening of music and emotions at Ke Keresh de Mi - What Do You Want from Me? Songs of Love and Relationship.
Be enchanted by soul-stirring melodies and heartfelt lyrics that explore the intricacies of love and relationships. From heartbreak to blissful romance, our talented performers will take you on a musical journey that will resonate with your own experiences.
Experience the power of music to connect, heal, and inspire with Sephardic Songs and music from the Renaissance to today by Monteverdi, Marenzio, Brahms, Gershwin. Bernstein, Ellington, McCartney and more. Whether you're a fan of soulful ballads or lively tunes, this event delivered an unforgettable evening filled with emotions and beautiful melodies.
Tickets ($35, but concessions from $10) still available and full information here.
Invisible Spirits
An evening of classical music for flute, soprano, and piano inspired by sounds and songs from the realm of the unseen. This concert was both in-person and also live-streamed. View the concert ($5) here.
Elizabeth Pope in Concert
Season of Light: TRANScend Winter Concert
Named one of Timeout Magazine's 50 Things to Do in NYC for a Magical Christmas, TRANScend presents SEASON OF LIGHT, a winter holiday choral concert. The winter solstice, with its dark chill, has produced festivals and holidays centered on light and warmth around the world. Different cultures celebrate in different ways, but they share a common theme: music warms the soul and offers hope for the cold days ahead. Join TRANScend for a holiday concert celebrating the solstice, with music from sacred and secular choral traditions for this season of light!
The concert was both in-person and also live-streamed. View the concert (live-stream from $5) here.
Four Sonatas in Baroque Style by Timothy Serignese
Wester Wind Concert for Hannakah and Christmas
Holiday Light was a unique concert presenting inspiring music for Chanukah and Christmas. The program included works by Astor Piazzolla, Elliot Z. Levine, Matthew Harris, Robert Dennis, and arrangements by Yumiko Matsuoka & Natasha Hirschhorn. Also Renaissance music & Spirituals, Lullabies & Early American songs; Sephardic, Yiddish & Hebrew Chanukah songs.
Still viewable (from $15) here.
Knox Oakey in Concert
Knox Oakey, piano, gave a concert of music for solo piano by Bach, Beethoven, and Bartók: Bach (French Overture), Beethoven (Sonata op.2 #3), Barber (Excursions) and Bartók (Romanian Dance, Op.8a). This concert was free to attend, but a suggested donations of $20 on the door went to St John’s Music Fund (for the commissioning of new piano music). Click here to view the live-stream (free). Click here to donate to the St John’s Music Fund (write Music Fund Commission in the comments box).
The Strathmere Ensemble with Mary Ellen Callahan:
Bach Cantatas
The Strathmere Ensemble with Mary Ellen Callahan and guest artists performed this concert of two solo cantatas, BWV 82A (Ich habe genug) and BWV 202 (Wedding Cantata)
Mitsuru Tsubota and Karl Kawahara, violins
Louise Schulman, viola
Daire FitzGerald, 'cello
Jack Kulowitsch, bass
Bob Wolinsky, harpsichord
with guest artists
Mary Ellen Callahan, soprano
Deborah Booth, baroque flute
Emily Ostrom, baroque oboe
The concert can still be viewed (free) here.
In Nomine in Concert
In Nomine Ensemble performed 18th-century European music by Italian, German, and Moravarian composers. They demonstrated these works on historical instruments with their unique combination of Baroque violin, flute, bassoon, and harpsichord. This concert can still be views (free) here.
Amir Farid, piano, in concert
Amir Farid presented a concert of works for solo piano: Franz Schubert, Anawim Avila, and Robert Schumann. You can still view the concert here.
Western Wind: The 5 Elements - Fire, Earth, Water, Air, Nothingness
‘… a church filled with hundreds of flickering candle lights to experience a kaleidoscopic tapestry of a cappella sensations by the Western Wind vocal ensemble. This concert can still be viewed on-line (from $15) here.
The Music of Antonio Soler
Hayk Arsenyan is a NYC-based pianist and composer, as well as a scholar of 18th century Spanish music. He recently published a book in Barcelona on the works of Antonio Soler, and toured a one-hour long beautiful program of Soler's sonatas and Fandango. This concert was both in-person and also live-streamed. Tickets (from $15) for the stream can still be purchased here.
Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater
Stabat Mater is a 13th-century hymn set to music by Pergolesi in the 18th century. It is a poignant portrayal of the Virgin Mary's grief during the Crucifixion, with expressive vocal lines and beautiful harmonies for two female voices. This was a free devotional concert for Good Friday. Alissa Grimaldi (soprano), Margo Andrea (mezzo), and Michael Eisenberg (harpsichord). You can still view this concert here.
Back to Bach: Cantatas BWV209 and BWV51
The Strathmere Ensemble with Mary Ellen Callaghan and guest artists performed this concert of two solo cantatas. You can still view it here.
Fantasy Duo: a cello and piano duo
With music from both the Romantic and Modern eras, this duo recital includes works by Schumann, Dvorak, Ligeti, Shostakovich, and Albinez. With more than a decade of chemistry and experience together, the Fantasy Duo combines mature musicianship with passionate livelihood to reach audiences far and wide with classical music. Tickets (from $25) here.
Nico Muhly’s O Antiphon Preludes is a suite for organ based on the melodies and ideas of the Great “O Antiphons”, the antiphons to the Magnificat in late Advent. The work was presented liturgically, with the scripture-sources of each antiphon read, the antiphon sung (in English), and the corresponding Muhly movement played, forming a sequence culminating in the singing of Magnificat.
Buck Mc Daniel (organ) with Brian Wehrle (voice).
The Sequence can still be viewed on the parish YouTube channel here.
Stations of the Lost: A Trans Requiem is a ‘secular’ requiem with a blend of liturgical and poetical texts, a theatre piece written by Dr. Felix Graham in collaboration with TRANScend, New York's trans/gender-expansive vocal ensemble, and Randy Polumbo, visual artist. The requiem, in oratorio form, was performed alongside an installation of 14 panels, replacing the traditional stations of the cross with commemorative art pieces honoring the lives of trans artists (both past and present). This concert was both in-person and also live-streamed. Tickets (virtual from $5) and full information here.
TRANScend, New York's premier trans and gender-inclusive choir. At this Choral Eucharist on Pride Sunday TRANScend sang Richard Burchard's Missa Brevis, Richard DeLong's Immortal Love and a new setting of Tantum Ergo written specially for this occasion by Dr Felix Graham, director of TRANScend.
You can still view the Choral Eucharist here.