Concerts
2024
Sunday, December 22, 2024 • 4:00pm
A Cool Yule
23rd annual concert with jazz and contemporary arrangements of Christmas and holiday tunes, featuring members and friends of St. John’s Parish, under the direction of Steven Minkler and Rosemary Minkler. Musicians and Singers: Lorraine Barker, Chris Carrington, Malin Carta, Lorene Castle, Henry Church, Larissa Davidowitz, Bob Havery, Brian Ladden, Jeff Moro, Don Pomeroy, Albert Ramos, Andrew Skipp.
Sunday, December 15, 2024 • 4:00pm
The Waterbury Chorale presents “The Holiday Spirit”
Since its inception in 1967, the Waterbury Chorale performs sacred and secular repertoire that expands over five decades. Filled with energy, excitement, and passion, the Waterbury Chorale has delighted audiences both domestically and internationally. Join us as we present unforgettable musical experiences that have been highly acclaimed! We look forward to seeing you!
The concert will feature:
“Magnificat” | by Kevin Memley
Christmas Gloria | by Douglas Wagner
Ecce Novum | by Ola Gjeilo
A La Nanita Nana | by Victor Johnson
Light One Candle | by Peter Yarrow
Go Tell It On the Mountain | by Philip Kern
A Carol Fantasy | by John Alexander
And other holiday and seasonal favorites
All accompanied by, piano, organ, violin, brass ensemble, percussion
You can get tickets by clicking here on our website, from any cast member, or by calling 860-945-6890. Come and join us, it will be a great time!
Sunday, October 20, 2024 • 4:00pm
Spectrum of Music
Join us on Sunday, October 20, at 4:00pm for a benefit concert to preserve St. John’s as a cultural center in downtown Waterbury! Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Spectrum of Music will feature an eclectic blend of musical styles performed by exceptional local artists, all of whom are donating their services:
The Waterbury Chorale
Joseph Jacovino, solo piano
Marissa Famiglietti Apland, soprano vocalist
Thirzah Bendokas, cello
Robert Havery, pipe organ solos and piano accompaniments
Larissa Davidowitz, soprano vocalist
Steve Minkler Jazz Ensemble with Rosemary Minkler and Chris Carrington
Saecula Vocal Ensemble
Friday, June 21, 2024 • 4:00pm
Make Music Day
In celebration of international Make Music Day, St. John’s presented three “short sets” of instrumental music with Brian Ladden (ukulele), Henry Church (guitar), and Steven Minkler (piano) followed by the second annual appearance by jazz-rock-soul band “Vinyl Velocity” featuring (left to right in photo): Henry Church (guitar), Steven Minkler (piano), Jeff Moro (bass), Chris Carrington (drums), Brian Ladden (percussion/vocal), and Bill Grodski (trumpet).
Sunday, April 7, 2024 • 3:00pm (Lecture) 4:00pm (Concert)
The Waterbury Chorale presents “Visions of Universal Brotherhood and World Peace”
with Pre-Concert Lecture presented by Dr. Vincent Deluise
An All-Beethoven Concert: Mass in C, Chorale Fantasy, Hallelujah from Mount of Olives, Ode to Joy, and much more. You can get tickets by clicking here on our website, from any cast member, or by calling 860-945-6890. Come and join us, it will be a great time!
2023
Sunday, December 17, 2023 • 4:00pm
A Cool Yule
22nd annual concert with jazz and contemporary arrangements of Christmas and holiday tunes, featuring members and friends of St. John’s Parish, under the direction of Steven Minkler and Rosemary Minkler. Musicians and Singers: Lorraine Barker, Chris Carrington, Malin Carta, Lorene Castle, Henry Church, Larissa Davidowitz, Bob Havery, Brian Ladden, Jeff Moro, Don Pomeroy, Albert Ramos, Katie Robison, Andrew Skipp.
Sunday, December 10, 2023 • 4:00pm
The Waterbury Chorale presents “Glad Tidings We Sing”
There will be carols arranged by Dan Forest, the “Christmas Cantata” by Daniel Pinkham and many more treats. This concert is directed by Joseph Jacovino and accompanied by Susan Anthony-Klein and the Waterbury Chorale Orchestra. This concert will be held at two separate locations:
Friday, December 8, 2023 at 7:30 PM
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church| 25 South Street, Litchfield, CT
Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 4:00 PM
St. John’s Episcopal Church | 16 Church Street, Waterbury, CT
Come and join us. It will be a great time!
You can get tickets by clicking here on our website, from any cast member, or by calling 203-426-9106. Tickets are $25 beforehand or $30 at the door. Children 12 and under are free accompanied by an adult.
Sunday, November 19, 2023 • 3:00pm
A Concert for Ukraine
On Sunday, November 19, 2023, at 3:00pm, St. John’s hosted a special “Concert for Ukraine” featuring Gail Archer, organist at Vassar College and Professor of Music at Barnard College and Columbia University. Gail performed a program featuring music by Ukrainian composers Bodhan Kotyuk, Tadeusz Machl, Victor Goncharenko, Mykola Kolessa, Svitlana Ostrova, and Ivan Kryschanowskij. All proceeds benefitted the Episcopal Relief and Development, Ukraine Crisis Fund.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Berger
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 • 4:00pm
Make Music Day
In celebration of international Make Music Day, St. John’s presented three “short sets” of instrumental music with Brian Ladden (ukulele), Henry Church (guitar), and Steven Minkler (piano) followed by the debut of jazz-rock-soul band “Vinyl Velocity” featuring (left to right in photo): Henry Church (guitar), Steven Minkler (piano), Jeff Moro (bass), Chris Carrington (drums), Brian Ladden (percussion/vocal), and Bill Grodski (trumpet).
2022
Sunday, December 18, 2022 • 4:00pm
A Cool Yule
21st annual concert with jazz and contemporary arrangements of Christmas and holiday tunes, featuring members and friends of St. John’s Parish, under the direction of Steven Minkler and Rosemary Minkler. Watch the YouTube video of the concert.
Sunday, October 30, 2022 • 3:00pm
Waterbury Chapter, American Guild of Organists
Organ concert by members of the Waterbury AGO.
Sunday, October 1, 2022 • 4:00pm
Heroic Music for Brass & Organ
On October 1st at 4 PM the nave of St. John’s Church was filled with a splendor of sound rarely, if ever, heard in that acoustically perfect space when the Waterbury Symphony presented its first concert of the year entitled “Monumental Organ.” Leif Bjaland, the Symphony’s Music Director and conductor, brought the entire orchestra filling the chancel to the brim. The program featured St. John’s magnificent McManis pipe organ and organist Christopher Houlihan.
2021
Sunday, December 19, 2021 • 4:00pm
A Cool Yule
20th annual concert with jazz and contemporary arrangements of Christmas and holiday tunes, featuring members and friends of St. John’s Parish, under the direction of Steven Minkler and Rosemary Minkler. Watch the YouTube video of the concert.
2020
Concert Schedule Suspended due to COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions
2019
Sunday, December 22, 2019 • 4:00pm
A Cool Yule
18th annual concert with jazz and contemporary arrangements of Christmas and holiday tunes, featuring the St. John’s Jazz Ensemble and St. John’s Choir, under the direction of Steven Minkler and Rosemary Minkler.
Sunday, October 6, 2019 • 4:00pm
Elisabeth von Trapp
According to her online biography:
For Elisabeth Von Trapp, “the sounds of music” are part of her earliest memories. Born and raised in Vermont, Elisabeth is the granddaughter of the legendary Maria and Baron Von Trapp, whose story inspired The Sound of Music. Singing professionally since childhood, Elisabeth has enthralled audiences from European cathedrals to Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center.
Inspired by her father Werner Von Trapp’s guitar playing and singing, Elisabeth has carried on the legacy of the internationally renowned Trapp Family Singers. She began taking piano lessons when she was eight and by the age of sixteen she was playing guitar and traveling the back roads of New England performing with her siblings at weddings, gospel meetings and town halls.
Building on her famed family’s passion for music, Elisabeth has created her own artistic style, at once ethereal and earthy, delicate and powerful. listeners have likened her to Judy Collins and Loreena McKennitt. critics have called her voice … “hauntingly clear,” “joyfully expressive,” and “simply beautiful.”
Elisabeth’s concert repertoire ranges from Bach to Broadway … Schubert to Sting. With equal ease and eloquence she sings timeless wonders like Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Favorite Things and Edelweiss, Lieder by Mozart, Puccini’s o Mio Babbino Caro, soaring gospel tunes, pop classics like a Whiter Shade of Pale and her own stunning compositions.
Her cathedral program includes sacred and secular music extending from Gregorian chants, songs by 12th century mystic Hildegarde of Bingen, early American hymns, spirituals and psalms set to her own compositions.
Tuesday, April 16, 2019 • 7:00pm
University of Connecticut Choir
Presented by the UConn Ensemble in Residence
Sunday, April 14, 2019 • 4:00pm
Waterbury Chorale Spring Concert
Mozart & Bruckner: Visions of Vienna
Featuring Mozart’s Requiem, Anton Bruckner’s Te Deum, and other choral works. Joseph Jacovino, Music Director; Jenny Li, Accompanist.
Sunday, January 27, 2019 • 4:00pm
Heroic Music for Brass & Organ III
Music in Great Spaces Series presented by the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, musical director/conductor Leif Bjaland
2018
Sunday, December 16, 2018 • 4:00pm
A Cool Yule
17th annual concert with jazz and contemporary arrangements of Christmas and holiday tunes, featuring the St. John’s Jazz Ensemble and St. John’s Choir, under the direction of Steven Minkler and Rosemary Minkler.
Sunday, August 12, 2018 • 5:00pm
Organ Recital with Alan Saggerson
Mr. Saggerson contacted St. John’s in March of 2018 about playing our “Mighty McManis Organ” during a tour he was taking that summer in the United States. At St. Mary with All Souls, Mr. Saggerson plays the two pipe organs, directs the voluntary choir and the St. Mary’s Singers, and presides over the annual St. Mary’s concert programs organized in conjunction with the Royal Academy of Music.
The program included:
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- Toccata: Creator of the Stars of Night (Pietro Yon)
- Vesper Voluntaries (Edward Elgar)
- Komm Heiliger Geist (BWV 651) (J.S. Bach)
- “Eventide” & “Croft’s 136th (Hubert Parry)
- Dancing in the Twilight (Eric Coates)
- Quick March: “Calling all workers” (Eric Coates)
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More about Alan Saggerson
Alan was educated at Hertford College, Oxford. His organ tutors include Ann Elise Smoot (USA) and Paul Bryan (RNCM, now Ely Cathedral). After 20 years as an organist at St. James’s Parish Church in Islington, north London he moved in 2008 to St. Mary with All Souls, West Hampstead (Kilburn) where as well as playing the 2 pipe organs he directs the voluntary choir and the St. Mary’s Singers and presides over the annual St. Mary’s concert programs organized in conjunction with the Royal Academy of Music. He is a trustee of the Royal College of Organists St. Giles Academy organ project at St. Giles Cripplegate at London’s Barbican Centre and has participated in the rebuilding and refubishment of several pipe organs in and around London (including St. Mary’s 1880 Bishop organ and the installation of the 1966 Walker gallery organ at St. Mary’s in 2014 – a gift from Downing College Cambridge with which St. Mary’s has an historic connection). He is the founder and Director of the Islington Improvisation Workshops focusing on improvisation within the liturgy. He has toured annually in the Netherlands and France in each of the last 20 years as well as being a regular recitalist in and around London & throughout the UK. In 2014 he featured as an anniversary recitalist for the RCO’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
Saturday, May 19, 2018 • 2:00pm
Connecticut Accordion Association Spring Concert
Sunday, April 29, 2018 • 4:00pm
Waterbury Chorale
Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”
Saturday, April 14, 2018 • 3:00pm
Voice Concert with Soprano Samantha Feliciano
with accompanist Jeremey Lombard
The program featured the works of Duke, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, and Strauss.
Samantha is St. John’s Choir Director and Jazz Ensemble vocalist. She is currently completing her degree in Music Education with a concentration in voice at Western Connecticut State University.
She was accepted to a summer study abroad program through the University of Miami Frost School of Music, which hosted a trip to Salzburg, Austria to study classical voice and German with world-renowned artists and teachers. This provides students with opportunities to receive 7 graduate credits in voice and language, sing in master classes, attend concerts, and learn alongside so many singers touring Austria. Net proceeds from the recital helped underwrite the cost of Samantha’s participation in this amazing educational experience. Click or tap here to learn more about Samantha’s trip and how she plans to use this to further her professional career.
Sunday, February 4, 2018 • 3:00pm
Heroic Music for Brass & Organ II
Music in Great Spaces Series presented by the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, musical director/conductor Leif Bjaland.
2017
Sunday, December 17, 2017 • 4:00pm
A Cool Yule
16th annual concert with jazz and contemporary arrangements of Christmas and holiday tunes, featuring the St. John’s Jazz Ensemble and St. John’s Choir, under the direction of Steven Minkler and Rosemary Minkler.
Sunday, December 10, 2017 • 4:00pm
Waterbury Chorale Christmas Concert
Join the Waterbury chorale in their 51st concert season with an unforgettable Christmas Chorale suite! Featuring John Rutter’s highly acclaimed Magnificat, Leroy Anderson’s Christmas Festival and Bugler’s Holiday, and many other pieces that truly embraces the Christmas Season. Featuring composers Mack Wilberg, Mark Hayes, Molly Ijames, Craig Courtney, and others.
Sunday, December 3, 2017 • 3:00pm
Connecticut Accordion Association Holiday Concert
Featuring the Connecticut Accordion Association Orchestra in Concert, Peter Peluso, Conductor. A full accordion orchestra will play seasonal and holiday pieces.
Sunday, June 25, 2017 • 3:00pm
Rosemary Minkler Trio: “Prospectus” Concert & CD Release Party
This afternoon’s performance is a showcase of the compositions featured on Rosemary Minkler’s debut album, entitled Prospectus. This self-produced album features all original music performed by Rosemary on piano and vocals, Jeff Moro on bass, and Eric Hallenbeck on drums. Rosemary has been a member of St. John’s since birth, and leads an ensemble of musicians at the church’s monthly jazz music service.
The compositions on Prospectus draw from influences such as pianists Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, and Craig Taborn. Albums such as Jarrett’s Life Between the Exit Signs and Corea’s Now He Sings, Now He Sobs are distinguished in the catalogue of modern jazz piano trio music and have been pivotal in the way jazz piano is perceived. These works incorporate elements of avant-garde jazz with those of the traditional jazz idiom. Likewise, Prospectus juxtaposes simple and complex melody and harmony to create a variety of textures that exhibit the flexibility that the jazz piano trio offers.
The title “Prospectus” means “view, sight, or horizons” in Latin and is used in English to refer to a document that advertises a business in order to inform clients or investors. Thus, this project acts as Rosemary’s own prospectus as she begins her journey towards new horizons.
Sunday, February 5, 2017 • 3:00pm
Heroic Music for Brass & Organ
Join us for a very special concert to benefit St. John’s Episcopal Church in Waterbury, in collaboration with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra and the Kellogg Family.
For more than four centuries, composers have used the combination of pipe organ and brass to portray the noblest of human emotions. This concert features WSO Music Director Leif Bjaland with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra’s brass section, and the outstanding organist Joseph Ripka, Organist and Choirmaster at Calvary Church in Stonington, CT. The program is comprised of contrasting works including Johann Sebastian Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Gigout’s Grand Chorus in Dialogue, and Dupré’s Poème Héroïque.
The concert is being underwritten by a generous gift from the Kellogg Family, who for several generations have been members and supporters of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Their donation is being made in honor of their family, with all ticket proceeds benefitting St. John’s Church.
PROGRAM
Johann Sebastian Bach’s: Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Eugène Gigout: Grand Chorus in Dialogue
Marcel Dupré: Poème Héroïque
JOSEPH RIPKA, Organist/Choir Master
As the first prize winner of the 2008 Dublin International Organ Competition, the 2008 Fort Wayne National Organ Competition and the 2008 San Marino/Elizabeth Elftman National Organ Competition, Joseph Ripka has earned national and international recognition as one of today’s finest young organ talents. Joseph was awarded first prize at the Dublin competition by a unanimous decision of all five international jurors. Read more about Mr. Ripka >>
2016
Sunday, June 12, 2016 • 3:00pm
Sunday Coffeehouse with The Recess Bureau
This Coffeehouse Concert will feature original compositions and arrangements by the nine-member group The Recess Bureau.
Based in Danbury, Connecticut, The Recess Bureau explores the possibilities of jazz improvisation with different grooves inspired by many genres of music including jazz, funk, rock, R&B/soul, and hip-hop. Created in July of 2015, the band was organized by bassist Jeff Moro. The collective currently holds nine members, and is constantly expanding. With musical influences from Snarky Puppy, Led Zeppelin, James Brown, A Tribe Called Quest, and many more, the band offers music for you to think about and dance to. The band will perform all original compositions. Be sure to attend and support this amazing group of musicians and celebrate the recent release of their eponymous EP!
Jeff Moro: Bass
Willie Bruno: Drums
Chris Thomas: Percussion
Rosemary Minkler: Keyboards
Gary Nolan: Guitar
Gannon Ferrell: Guitar
Tim Lewis: Alto Saxophone
Dakota Austin: Tenor Saxophone/EWI
Keenan Asbridge: Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Sunday, May 1, 2016 • 3:00pm
The Waterbury Youth Chorus and Bravo Waterbury! Combined Spring Concert
The Waterbury Youth Chorus (WYC) was established in fall 2011 by artistic director, Melissa Rooklidge. The WYC is a program under the non-profit organization Church Street Community Services and is a community-based chorus for students in grades 4-12 in the greater Waterbury area. The Waterbury Youth Chorus rehearses once a week for an hour and a half. The WYC supplements the musical training taught in schools and students in this organization learn a variety choral repertoire, healthy vocal technique and music theory. Membership in the chorus is also a highly positive social experience, with regular parties, dinners, field trips, and other social events throughout the year. This program provides an enriching musical experience and also gives students the opportunity to build lasting friendships with members in the chorus.
Bravo Waterbury! is a cutting edge social development and music education program for students at Children’s Community School and Brass City Charter School in Waterbury, Connecticut.
An education program of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestrra, Bravo is inspired by Venezuela’s “music education miracle” known as El Sistema, a program for social change started over 35 years ago by economist and musician Jose Antonio Abreu. Most Bravo students study music five days a week for up to three hours a day. Additionally students receive homework tutoring, physical activity, and a host of social development projects throughout the year. Bravo students are engaged physically, mentally, and emotionally through creative expression. Currently 200 of Warterbury’s students participate in this intensive free educational program.
Sunday, April 24, 2016 • 3:00pm
St. John’s Jazz Ensemble – Coffeehouse Concert
Sunday Jazz Ensemble members (L-R): Tim Lewis (saxophone), Keenan Asbridge (trumpet), Rosemary Minkler (piano), Keith McDade (bass), Steve Niemitz (drums):
2015
Sunday, December 20, 2015 • 4:00pm
A Cool Yule
14th annual concert with jazz and contemporary arrangements of Christmas and holiday tunes, featuring members and friends of St. John’s Parish, under the direction of Steven Minkler and Rosemary Minkler.
Sunday, June 14, 2015 • 3:00pm
Beatles Coffeehouse
Members of the St. John’s Jazz Ensemble paid tribute to The Beatles with a Sunday afternoon coffeehouse featuring the music of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Rosemary Minkler (piano), Grant Beale (guitar), Steve Minkler (bass), Matt Spencer (drums) and special guest Marian Carroll played Fab Four favorites such as Let It Be, Here Comes the Sun, Got to Get You Into My Life, I Saw Her Standing There, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Come Together, and While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
Sunday, May 24, 2015 • 4:00pm
Cello Concert at St. John’s
Jacob Clewell, viola • Xin Ben Yu, piano
Jacob Clewell is a graduate student at Stony Brook University. This performance is in partial fulfillment of his Master’s degree requirements.
Program:
Paul Hindemith-Sonata op. 25, no. 1
Franz Schubert-Sonata in A minor, “Arpeggione”
Dimitri Shostakovich-Sonata for Viola and Piano, op. 147
Sunday, March 15, 2015 • 4:00pm
Jazz Coffeehouse with the Rosemary Minkler Quartet
On March 15, 2015, a jazz quartet led by St. John’s member and pianist Rosemary Minkler kicked off a new Sunday Afternoon Coffeehouse series of musical performances open to the public.
Joining Rosemary were fellow music students from Western Connecticut State University: Greg LaPine (saxophone), Jeff Moro (bass), and Steve Niemitz (drums). The group are studying this semester under the guidance of WCSU faculty member and acclaimed saxophonist Jimmy Greene.
The quartet performed an hourlong set featuring an original piece by Greg LaPine, and tunes by Duke Ellington, Keith Jarrett, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, and Billy Strayhorn. An enthusiastic crowd of music-lovers filled the Library; some $200 was raised to benefit the music program at St. John’s.
The Sunday Afternoon Coffeehouse continues on May 24, 2015 with a performance by Jacob Clewell, a graduate student working on his masters in Viola Performance at Stony Brook University. Free-will donations will be accepted, and snacks sold with all proceeds to benefit St. John’s music program.
Sunday, February 1, 2015 • 4:00pm
Organ Recital with Robert Havery and special guest Grieg Shearer, flutist
