Special music and worship in May and June

Memorial Day Weekend and the start of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston will offer some special opportunities involving local Episcopal churches. Here are a few (listed chronologically):

Tesoro
Friday, May 25 at 4 pm at The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden
Tesoro is a gypsy jazz duo specializing in music of 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s. The music is upbeat and festive. Tesoro performs in period attire to enhance the performance experience. Tesoro is truly a “step back in time” to Charleston’s Golden Age. Free admission.

Small Opera
Sat., May 26, 1 pm at The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden
Small Opera Small Opera (SMOP) is a no-frills company bringing pop-up opera to the community. SMOP loves making this classic art form, fun, fresh, and accessible for all with interactive audience games and a variety of beautiful music. SMOP uses intimate casts, minimal costumes, stripped sets, simply Nomadic Vocal Drama! Free admission.

The Choraliers Music Club of Charleston
Saturday, May 26 at 8 pm at St. Mark's, Charleston
One of Charleston's most seasoned choral groups, the Choraliers will present a dynamic one-hour Gullah-Geechee performance of Gullah Folklore including both arranged and unarranged spirituals, gospel, blues, and excerpts from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Tickerts are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and free for children 6 and younger. Get tickets online here.​

Evensong: St. Gregory Choir & The King's Counterpoint
Sunday, May 27 at 4 pm at Grace Church Cathedral 
Grace's St. Gregory Choir and guest choir The King's Counterpoint of Charleston will offer this sung service of Evening Prayer on Trinity Sunday. The service includes Dyson's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in D, Henry Balfour Gardiner's Evening Hymn, and more. All are welcome.

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Atlanta Schola Cantorum
Monday, May 28 at 2 pm at Grace Church Cathedral 
Atlanta's oldest independent chorus, Atlanta Schola Cantorum, specializes in the performances of Renaissance choral music. The chorus has performed at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival for more than 20 years. Beautiful harmonies, creative repertoire, and engaging performances are hallmarks of Schola concerts. Their program will feature the extraordinary and timeless beauty of sacred church music and later choral masterpieces. Admission is free. This is also the first day of Grace's Tea Room, so come early for lunch!

Kondra Duo
Friday June 1 at 4 pm at The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden
The Kontra Duo has been described as “Energetic, sassy, graceful, and muscular.” Comprised of harpist Kristina Finch and saxophonist Dannel Espinoza, the duo is dedicated to the exploration of both traditional and contemporary music and works tirelessly to create programs that showcase the color and expressive capabilities of this unique ensemble. Free admission.

Charleston Symphony Orchestra Brass
Saturday, June 2 at 3 pm at Grace Church Cathedral 
Charles D. Frost, organist, and The Charleston Symphony Brass perform works by Bach, Gabrielli, Strauss, Debussy, and Bernstein. Admission is $21 adult, $18 senior, $11 student; tickets are here.​
The Choraliers Music Club of Charleston
Saturday, June 2 at 8 pm at St. Mark's, Charleston
One of Charleston's most seasoned choral groups, the Choraliers will present a dynamic one-hour Gullah-Geechee performance of Gullah Folklore including both arranged and unarranged spirituals, gospel, blues, and excerpts from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Tickerts are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and free for children 6 and younger. Get tickets online here.
The Lucia Ensemble
Sunday, June 3 at 4 pm at The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden
The Lucia Ensemble, a young women’s ensemble of 10 singers from Augusta, Georgia who range in the age from 15 to 23 years old, is honored to return to Bishop Gadsden’s beautiful chapel for the sixth year in a row. They are accompanied by string quartet, presenting music that ponders the concept of “home”. The program will move between classical composers, contemporary composers writing in the classical tradition, and folk songs. Free admission.

Evensong: The Carolina Festival Treble Choir
Saturday, June 9 at 5 pm at Holy Communion, Charleston
The Carolina Treble Festival Choir will sing Evensong as part of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival of Synagogues and Churches. This choir includes young choristers from Episcopal churches in the Carolinas who gather once a year for rehearsal and fellowhsip, leading liturgy for an Evensong service. They have sung at Washington National Cathedral and Virginia Theological Seminary. The conductor will be Dr. David Arcus, former organist for Duke Chapel and currently serving at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Hillsborough, NC. Admission is free.
The Choraliers Music Club of Charleston
Saturday, June 9 at 8 pm at St. Mark's, Charleston
One of Charleston's most seasoned choral groups, the Choraliers will present a dynamic one-hour Gullah-Geechee performance of Gullah Folklore including both arranged and unarranged spirituals, gospel, blues, and excerpts from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Tickerts are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and free for children 6 and younger. Get tickets online here.

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