3rd Annual Broadway Musical Sing-Along
An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed this mid-winter escape to a variety of favorite Broadway Musicals, including My Fair Lady, South Pacific, The King and I, and so many more! Also featured soloists from the studio of Lisa Franklin. Accompanied by Maury A. Castro and Judy Moyer. This event took place on January 27, 2012 at 6:30 pm. Admission was free.
A Victorian Stroll Event: RPI Ensembles in Concert
On Sunday, December 4, 2011, RPI music ensembles delighted their audience with a variety of jazz. The Symphonic Band, Repertory Jazz Orchestra, and Contemporary Jazz Ensemble gave concerts all afternoon. Admission was free.
Choral Concert: Mozart's Coronation Mass and other works
On Sunday, Novemeber 13, at 3:00 pm, the Chancel Choirs of First United and First Presbyterian Church, Albany, joined by the Madrigal Singers of the College of St. Rose, gave a thrilling all-Mozart concert. Maury A. Castro and Michael Lister, conductors; Nancy Frank, organ. Admission was free with a reception following. This concert took place at First Presyterian Church, Albany (362 State St.).
Katelyn Steele in Concert
On Friday, May 27, 2011, at 7 pm, Ms. Steele presened a variety of selections including works by Debussy, Wolf, Faure, Feist, and Copland. This concert was a repeat of her senior recital as a voice major at the College of St. Rose. Her clear, full tones filled the space, making this a concert enjoyed by an appreciative audience. Accompanied by Maury A. Castro. This was a Troy Night Out event, with a lovely reception following.
A Maundy Thursday Cantata: Colors of Grace
The Chancel Choir of First United presented a choral cantata service on April 21, 2011. This meditative work by Joseph Martin weaves familiar hymns such as "What Wondrous Love is This?" and "Go To Dark Gethsemane" with inspired new material. The cantata was sung in the fellowship hall, with soloists, and accompanied by piano, violin, and percussion. The cantata also included readings and a variety of visual elements. Communion was served.
All-Mendelssohn Choral Concert
Featureing the combined choirs of First Presbyterian Church, Albany, and First United Presbyterian Church, Troy, this concert included some of Mendelssohn's finest works for chorus. The two shorter works, Verleih uns Frieden and I Waited for the Lord (from Lobgesang), were followed by the weighty Lauda Sion, accompanied by string quartet and organ. Maury A. Castro and Michael Lister, conductors; Nancy Frank, organist. a reception followed. This concert was performed at First United on November 7, 2010, and again at First Presbyterian, Albany, on November 14, 2010.
A Troy Night Out Event: The Very Scariest Organ Music
The third annual spooky organ music concert certainly got Troy in the mood for the holiday! Costumes abounded! Featured J.S. Bach's essential Toccata and Fugue in d minor, Gounod's Funeral March of a Marionette, plus two thrilling 1-organ, 4-hands transcriptions, Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries and Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre. This 30-minute concert was presented by Maury A. Castro and Toddy Sisley. Following the concert, there was an organ demonstration in the organ loft by Dan Lemieux of Lemieux and Associates (one of the builders of the current organ) for those who wished to take a closer look. Sponsored jointly by the American Guild of Organists, Eastern New York Chapter and First United. This event took place on Friday, October 29, at 6:30 pm.
A Troy Night Out Event: Saratoga Soundtrack
This 45-minute concert featured a wide variety of music including standards, jazz, ballads, and contemporary songs. Saratoga Soundtrack is a chartered chorus of Sweet Adelines International. The concert was held in the Social Hall, and a reception followed.
Troy Music Day Camp
The second annual Troy Music Day Camp, held from June 28-July 2, 2010, was an exciting success, with forty-two eager children participating in the camp. The children enjoyed singing, reading music, learning about music history, dancing, field trips, guest musicians from the Albany symphony and elsewhere, introductions to instruments and composers, and even a final performance on Friday, July 2, of music through the ages. Plans are already in the making for expanding the second annual Troy Music Day Camp to two weeks!
Carolynn Mackey, Mezzo-Soprano
Carolynn Mackey sang to an enthusiastic audience at Troy Night Out on July 30, 2010. Her 60-minute concert of music from around the world included Bach/Gounod, Handel, Purcell, Duparc, and Bourget as well as Sondheim, Rodgers/Hammerstein, and Cole Porter. Accompanied by Maury A. Castro. The concert was free with donations accepted, and was followed by an exquisite dessert reception in the Social Hall.
Neighbors Establishing Support in Troy (NEST) 3rd Annual Gospel Benefit Concert
On Friday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m., Men’s Choirs from around the capital district came together at First United to present a benefit concert to support NEST (Neighbors Establishing Support in Troy). NEST is a church-supported mission project seeking nonviolent solutions and community building. Featured men's choirs from: Metropolitan NT Baptist, Mt. Pleasant Baptist, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist, Oakgrove Baptist and Bethel Baptist. Also featured the Troy Larger Parish Choir, as well as guest artists Amanda Venezia (soprano) and Pamela Sharpe (piano). The concert was hosted by the Reverend Eric Shaw, pastor, Bethel Baptist Church. A free will offering was taken, raising over $800 for this mission! All enjoyed a dessert reception following the concert.
Maury A. Castro, Organ Concert
An appreciative crowd enjoyed a lively organ concert on April 30, 2010. Works performed included Widor's Symphony No. 9 (Gothique), Sanders' Wohl Denen, die da Wandeln, Utterback's jazzy Talk About a Child that Do Love Jesus, and Bull's thrilling Rondo in G. Also featured mezzo-soprano Katelyn Steele for this Troy Night Out event.
Under the Mushroom Cloud: A Hiroshima/Nagasaki Exhibit
As a part of Troy Night Out on April 30, 2010, visitors viewed a display of fifteen posters produced by the Hiroshima Peace Museum in Hiroshima, Japan. This exhibit coincided with the major review of the United Nations Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (1970), taking place in May of 2010 in New York City. This event was sponsored by Upper Hudson Peace Action and First United Presbyterian Church.
Lake George Opera: The Three Little Pigs
Mesmerized - the only accurate way of describing the children and adults who attended this concert! Held as a part of Troy (Kid's) Night Out on March 26, 2010, at 6 p.m., this concert featured four professional opera singers and a skilled accompanist, all with the aim of sharing the music of Mozart through this classic tale with twist! The 40-minute concert was semi-staged, and was followed by an engaging question and answer session. Animal crackers and 100% fruit juice followed, prepared by Dick and Diana Loeffel. For more information, see: www.lakegeorgeopera.org/education.html
Isabel Demers, Organ
Ms. Demers, a doctoral student studying at Julliard with Paul Jacobs, gave a stirring concert on Friday, November 20, 2009. She played Bach, Reger, and her own transcriptiong of Prokofiev's Romeo et Juliet suiet. This event was co-sponsored by the American Guild of Organists, Eastern New York Chapter, and First United.
Peter and the Wolf
Maury A. Castro played an organ transcription of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, with Dan Rogers narrating this classic tale. This Troy Night Out event took place on Friday, March 27, 2009, from 6–6:30 p.m. This transcription was completed by Scott Schlessinger as his doctoral project at UCLA.
