MIDDLEBURG CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS

MIDDLEBURG CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS

The majestic sounds of brass, organ and strings will herald the season when Middleburg Concert Series presents The Sounds of Christmas at its annual Christmas concert. Featured performers baritone Benjamin Curtis; The Saturday Morning Brass Project; and organists Dr Steven Cooksey and Dan Miller will be joined by Musicians in Residence Dr Alan Saucedo (cello), Cynthia Saucedo (violin), and Karen Chase (soprano). The concert, sponsored by the Bank of Charlestown, will be followed by a reception provided by the Goodstone Inn and Restaurant. The 2017 performances are made possible by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Town of Middleburg. Since its inception in 2015 the Middleburg Concert Series has continually offered virtuoso performances to the residents of the Town of Middleburg and its visitors. The concert will be at 4 PM, December 10th, at the Middleburg United Methodist Church, 15 W Washington Street at the corner of Pendleton.

The Christmas concert marks a return engagement for Benjamin Curtis who wowed audiences with his rich, vibrant, baritone voice at the Broadway Medley concert in 2016. Equally at home with operatic or popular tunes, Mr. Curtis holds a Masters of Music from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in New York. The Saturday Morning Brass Project is a group of both professional and amateur musicians who play a variety of music from classical to jazz. Members have previously performed with the Loudoun Symphony, the Fairfax Symphony, the Maryland Symphony the American Pops and more. Organist Dan Miller is Music Director of St David’s Episcopal Church in Ashburn, Va. and accompanist for the Hagerstown Choral Arts. He was previously a member of the faculty of the Washington National Opera’s Institute at American University and Shenandoah Conservatory’s Opera Workshop. Organist Dr. Steven Cooksey needs no introduction to MCS audiences. Professor Emmeritus at Shenandoah University, founder of the Bach Handel Festival, and Organist/Choir Master of St James Episcopal Church in Leesburg Dr Cooksey serves on the MCS Steering Committee. He has become an invaluable addition to the concerts by offering historical background of some of the pieces being performed.

Admission to the concert and reception are free. Donations are welcome. For further information visit middleburgconcertseries.com, email [email protected] or call 540-303-7127.