On Sunday May 1st, 3pm, Arts Institute of Western Maine is proud to present St. Mary Schola at a performance in Nordica Auditorium at the University of Maine at Farmington.   Directed by Bruce Fithian, and based at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary in Falmouth, the highly-respected ensemble was founded in 2008 by Fithian and the Rev. James Dalton-Thompson.  Three programs are presented per year (with 3 performances each, at Southern Maine venues):  Advent or Christmas, Lent, and Easter or Spring.  This Spring there will be a 4th performance, sponsored by AIWM, an affiliate of the University of Maine at Farmington.   

The program entitled “Ode to Music” is  dedicated to the praise of music’s power to touch our hearts.  Excerpts from The Ode to Music by Purcell and by Handel will be performed, as well as pieces by Monteverdi, Lassus, Bach, Milano and Richard Dering (“City Cries” -- a delightful parody with voices and viols).  Excerpts from Hildegard von Bingen’s  Musical Harmony will be read.  Come one-half hour early for an informative lecture by  Bruce Fithian.

Farmington’s own John and Kathryn Sytsma perform on viola da gamba in “City Cries”, as well as previous Farmington residents, Dr. Phillip Carlsen (UMF Professor

emeritus) and Mary Jo Carlsen, violinist.  Tickets, $12 (students free), may be purchased at the door or online at                                                .

 

For more information about St. Mary Schola, check out the website stmaryschola.org