The Hyacinth Concert Series

Now entering its forty-second season, the Hyacinth Concert Series of Moorings Presbyterian Church is as strong as ever, and I hope the 2024-2025 performer lineup is so captivating that you’ll enter every date into your calendar as a ‘can’t miss’ event! From performances by some of the world’s finest choral ensembles to an improvised silent movie on the Sterritte Family Organ and more, there’s certainly something for people of all backgrounds and levels of musical interest.

God has been good to the Hyacinth Series, and it’s my prayer that the series will continue to be a beacon of light in today’s busy and often troubled world. I hope you’ll participate through your presence and support, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to our beautiful sanctuary!

In Christ,
Dr. Christopher Dekker, Artistic Director

Hyacinth Committee Members: Dr. Gena Bedrosian, Tamara Cannon, Sandy Perrotta, Kathy Shannon, Paula Stone, Dr. John Stansell

2024–2025 Schedule of Events

The Camerata of Naples In Concert

Sunday, November 3, 4:00pm

Co-founded in 2021 by musicians Boris Sandler and Bella Gutshtein, the Camerata of Naples has captivated audiences throughout Southwest Florida by their passionate and engaging playing. Composed of well-known musicians from the Naples Philharmonic and other prominent local arts organizations, the Camerata will present a varied repertoire comprising of classical masterworks and beyond. Please join us for what is sure to be an engaging program, which has been generously underwritten by Paula and Larry Stone.

If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a concert sponsor of another Hyacinth concert, please contact Dr. Chris Dekker at cdekker@mooringschurch.org or learn more here.

Admission is free and tickets are not required. A free-will offering will be accepted.

James Kennerley, Organ

Sunday, December 1, 5:00pm

Internationally-acclaimed organist James Kennerley has won the hearts of audiences throughout the United States, Europe, and beyond through his masterful playing and diverse repertoire. His program on this year’s Hyacinth Series promises to be especially interesting in that it will consist of traditional repertoire in the first half and a silent movie with organ improvisation during the second half. Featuring a classic black-and-white movie from the early 20^th century on a large screen in front of the organ, James will improvise a live soundtrack on the Moorings’ mighty 4,400-pipe Sterritte Family Organ. The programming will be especially geared towards children, and we invite people of all ages to attend.

Please note that this particular concert will begin at 5:00pm in order to allow the sanctuary to be dark for the duration of the movie.

This concert has been underwritten by a generous donor, and more information about Mr. Kennerley can be found at www.jameskennerley.com.

Admission is free and tickets are not required. A free-will offering will be accepted.

A Concert for Ukraine: Featuring Pianist Pavlo Gintov and Soprano Hanna Golodinskii

Sunday, January 12, 4:00pm

Soprano Hanna Golodinskii and pianist Pavlo Gintov, both Ukrainian-born, will present opera arias, sacred songs, spirituals and piano compositions, by Ukrainian and world composers. A special treat will be Chopin’s Heroic Polonaise in A flat major, op. 53.

Generously underwritten by John Stansell and Michael Pellegrino, the entirety of the free-will offering will go directly to Liberty Ukraine Foundation, providing much needed support for the Children’s Medical Centre in Lviv, Western Ukraine.

Admission is free and tickets are not required.

The World-Famous The King’s Singers In Concert

Saturday, February 15, 4:00pm

Praised by the New York Times for their mellifluous and flawless performances, The Kings Singers have represented the gold standard in a cappella singing on the world’s greatest stages for over fifty years. They are renowned for their unrivalled technique, versatility and skill in performance, and for their consummate musicianship, drawing both on the group’s rich heritage and its pioneering spirit to create an extraordinary wealth of original works and unique collaborations. Arguably the best-known choir in the world, The Kings Singers will present a varied program consisting of classical standbys, choral arrangements of modern pop songs, and much more. This concert will truly be an opportunity to hear one of the foremost musical ensembles of our time and will appeal to people of all ages and musical backgrounds.

Please note that in order to accommodate the group’s busy travel schedule, this particular concert is scheduled for Saturday, February 15, at 4pm, rather than the traditional Sunday concert time.

This concert has been generously underwritten by Roger & Michele Burgis, and more information about The King’s Singers can be found at www.kingssingers.com.

Admission is free and tickets are not required. A free-will offering will be accepted.

The Concordia College Choir

Sunday, March 9, 4:00pm

The Concordia Choir of Moorhead, Minnesota, continues to affirm its reputation as one of America’s finest a cappella choirs, and was ranked by collegerank.net as one of the top 10 most impressive college choirs in the country. Now under the direction of Dr. Michael Culloton, the Concordia has thrilled audiences throughout the United States, Europe, and beyond for more than 100 years, and will present a program consisting of varied repertoire in The Moorings’ resonant sanctuary.

This concert has been generously underwritten by Alan and Collene Van Noord and the CS Mott Foundation.

Admission is free and tickets are not required. A free-will offering will be accepted.

Seraphic Fire Presents Music of The Passion

Sunday, March 30, 4:00pm

For more than two decades, South Florida’s own internationally-acclaimed choral ensemble Seraphic Fire has thrilled audiences with their captivating and engaging performances of established classics and underperformed works. Under the direction of Patrick Dupre Quigley, Seraphic Fire’s program will focus on the music of Passiontide, some of the richest repertoire in the Christian tradition.

Generously underwritten by a generous donor, this concert promises to be a powerful and moving presentation of some of the world’s greatest choral masterpieces.

More information about Seraphic Fire can be found at www.seraphicfire.org.

Admission is free and tickets are not required. A free-will offering will be accepted.

BECOME A SUPPORTER!

The Hyacinth Concert Series is funded by enthusiastic patrons who provide financial support, and 100% of its operating budget comes from donations. This allows all concerts to remain open to the public without charge, reserved seating, or tickets. We encourage you to prayerfully consider what you might be able to contribute to this important cause, and where you might fit into the giving levels outlined below:

Prelude: $100–$249
Overture: $250–$749
Sonata: $750–$1,499
Concerto: $1,500–$2,999
Fortissimo: $3,000 and above
Concert Sponsor: The underwriting of a concert

If you are interested in becoming a Concert Sponsor and would like more information, please contact the Hyacinth Artistic Director, Dr. Chris Dekker, at cdekker@mooringschurch.org, or at (239) 213-5246.

Please make checks payable to Moorings Presbyterian Church and note “Hyacinth Series” on the memo line, or donate online securely using the button below.