MUSIC

Celestial sounds: Churches offer some of Southwest Florida's best, and newest music

There are many good reasons to go to church. In Southwest Florida, there's one more: a rich assortment of music events, from rock to Bach, sponsored by local congregations, possibly the most per capita in the United States

In fact, there are so many concert series from Southwest Florida churches, this calendar will be in two parts this season, with Part One featuring concerts beginning Sunday and the next two Sundays. Look for second part of the story next Sunday.

Part two: There's Ellington, country, concertos in church

Here's your seasonal guide, Part One, to low-cost and free music through the work of music staffs and their church supporters:

Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church

553 Galleon Drive, Naples. (239) 262-6581 or www.trinitybythecove.com

Nov. 5 — Patterson-Sutton Duo: 4 p.m. Cello and guitar duo of Kimberly Patterson and Patrick Sutton, virtuosos who perform and arrange a wide variety of works for their two instruments. Free. 

Sutton-Patterson Duo at Trinity Episcopal Church

Jan. 21 — The  Classical Fortepiano: 4 p.m. Mike Cheng-Yu Lee plays sonatas by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven on a fortepiano that duplicates the kind of pianos built in the classical period, which used a wooden frame instead of a steel one, and 60 notes Dec. 16-17 — Christmas Carol Concert: 5 p.m. both dates. The Trinity-by-the-Cove chamber choir sing Christmas favorites, old and new, accompanied by harp, flute, pipe organ and harpsichord. An audience singalong concludes the concert. Freeinstead of 88.  A featured work: Beethoven’s iconic “Moonlight” Sonata. Free.

Feb. 4 — The Anderson Brothers: 4 p.m. Brothers Peter and Will Anderson are known for interpretations of popular classics and jazz, as well as imaginative improvisations on flute, saxophone, clarinet and guitar. Free.

March 18 — The Brasil Guitar Duo: 4 p.m. João Luiz and Douglas Lora met in São Paulo as teenage guitar students. They have been performing together for more than 15 years and have won the Concert Artists Guild International Competition. They're equally at home playing  baroque, flamenco, folk music and new compositions.

April 15 — Jessica Dan Fan and Narciso Solera: 4 p.m. The violin-piano duo have been performing at music festivals around the country and will bring Cézar Franck's Sonata in A Major, a rarely heard work for those two instruments, as well as contemporary Chinese and other classical works. Free.

First Presbyterian Church of Naples

250 Sixth Street S., Naples. Brice Gerlach, director of music ministries, at 239-262-1311 ext. 239 or email at briceg@fpcnaples.org.

Nov.  5 —  Naples Philharmonic Youth Chorus: 4 p.m. Music from a 100-voice choir with a repertoire from classical to Disney to Broadway and rock. Freewill offering

Dec. 2 —  Handel’s "Messiah": 7 p.m. Naples Philharmonic, Radu Paponiu, conductor, and the Naples Philharmonic Chorus, James Cochran, director; $35, $15 student; artisnaples.org or 239-597-1900

Dec.10  — Chancel Choir Christmas Concert: 4 p.m. Music through the centuries. Freewill offering

Feb. 18 —  Clarinet Trio: 4 p.m. Daniela Shtereva, violin, Nicolay Plagov, clarinet, and Milana Stretzeva, piano. Freewill offering

Feb. 21 — Lenten Organ Series: Noon-12:30 p.m. Lenten organ concerts offered by Brice Gerlach, director of music ministries. In these informal concerts Gerlach explains some of the mechanical workings of the church's Ruffatti pipe organ and offers musical insights into program pieces. 

Feb. 28 — Lenten Organ Series: See Feb. 21 listing.  

March 4 — Adam Brakel, organ:  4 p.m. Winner of top prizes in the Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition, the Reuter/Augustana Arts Undergraduate Organ Competition, the Gruenstein Memorial Organ Competition, the John Rodland Memorial Scholarship Competition, the French Organ Music Seminar Competition, and the Carlene Neihart International Organ Competition.

Adam Brakel performs at First Presbyterian Church in Naples.

March 7 — Lenten Organ Series: See Feb. 21 listing.

March 14 — Lenten Organ Series: See Feb. 21 listing.

March 18 — Simon Thomas Jacobs, organ: 4 p.m. Winner of both the first prize and audience prize at the St. Albans International Organ Competition and one of the “Twenty Under Thirty” listing of artists in Diapason magazine. Freewill offering

March 21 — Lenten Organ Series: See Feb. 21 listing.

March 28 — Lenten Organ Series: See Feb. 21 listing.

April 8 — Catherine Lan and Tao-Lin, piano: 4 p.m. Playing singly or together, with a repertoire that spans centuries and styles

East Naples United Methodist Church

2701 Airport Road S., Naples. www.enaples.org or 239-774-4696

Nov. 12 — “Celebrating the Music of Duke Ellington”: 3 p.m. Dan Miller on trumpet, Glenn Basham on violin and special guest 11-year-old Brandon Goldberg on piano (seen on Steve Harvey’s show “Little Big Shots”). Freewill offering.

Jan. 14 — “Jodie and Friends”: 3 p.m. Join pianist Jodie DeSalvo and guest musicians from the Naples Philharmonic for select chamber music. Freewill offering.

Feb 4 — Barron Collier High School Choir: 3 p.m. Under the direction of 2005 Gold Apple Award Winner Todd Peterson, the choir has consistently received Superior ratings at state and district competitions. They sing a wide range of music. Freewill offering.

Feb. 18 — Spirit of the Gulf: 3 p.m. Southwest Florida's Sweet Adelines are an award-winning women's a cappella chorus. Music will be traditional barbershop music varying from the oldies to show tunes to inspirational and lots of American Song Book. Freewill offering.

Spirit of the Gulf comes to East Naples United Methodist Church

March 4 — Maria Todaro & Louis Otey: 3 p.m. In a career spanning 35 years, Louis Otey has performed baritone roles in operas from Covent Garden to Paris, Madrid, San Francisco and Chicago to the Metropolitan Opera in New York. His wife, Maria Todaro, has performed classical and contemporary opera, operetta and concert works around the world. Freewill offering.

Moorings Presbyterian Church

791 Harbour Drive, Naples. www.moorings-presby.org or 239-261-1487

Nov. 12 — Alexandra Carlson: 4 p.m. Piano recital featuring works of Bach and Chopin. Carlson, who performs throughout the U.S., Europe and Russia and has performed at Artis—Naples with the Naples Philharmonic and as a solo artist, will debut the church's new Fazioli concert piano. Freewill offering

Jan. 21 — Chrysalis Chamber Players: 4 p.m. Piano, trumpet and strings, featuring Mary Elizabeth Bowden, trumpet, and Katherine Lan, piano. The program includes Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” Debussy’s “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair” and Piano Trio in G Minor, and Mozart’s “Queen of the Night" aria. Freewill offering

Feb. 18 — Monica Czausz: 4 p.m. Czausz has been recognized nationally as one of the top 20 organists under age 30. The Tracker magazine of the
Organ Historical Society calls her attributes "skill, confidence, color, melody,
and energy." Freewill offering

March 10 — Excerpts from Handel’s "Messiah": 10 a.m. worship service. Hyacinth Series Masterwork features Moorings Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, soloists and members of the Naples Philharmonic, presenting this year’s Hyacinth Masterwork. Freewill offering

March 18 — Chamber Choir of Florida Gulf Coast University: 4 p.m. Under the direction of Trent Brown, The Chamber Choir of Florida Gulf Coast University is a select ensemble of students who perform choral works. This concert features Benjamin Britten’s "Rejoice in the Lamb" for choir and organ, and more. Freewill offering

April 15 — Many Moorings Organists: 4 p.m. Performing music spanning varied periods and styles, area virtuosi showcase the church's Marjorie Sterritte organ. Performing this year: Gena Gedrosian, Richard Crofts, Thomas Goetz, Joan Haff, Robert Herrema, Joe Kerr, Cindy Learned and John Stansell. Freewill offering

First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs

9751 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs. $75 and $150 sponsorships for guaranteed tickets; free tickets distributed 10 days before each performance. www.fpcbonita.org or 239-992-3410.

Nov. 17 — "Wizard of Song": 7 p.m. Updated take on "The Wizard of Oz" by the Fresh Beat Band. $75 and $150 sponsorship tickets; free tickets 10 days before show.

Dec. 15 — Holy Rocka Rollaz Christmas Show: 2 and 7 p.m. Minnesota-based band who play original rock ’n’ roll and rockabilly of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash and more to the holiday genre. 75 and $150 sponsorship tickets; free tickets 10 days before show.

Holy Rocka Rollers come to First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs

Jan. 12 — New Odyssey: 2 and 7 p.m. Variety show with comedy and instrumental prowess by three men who play 30 instruments. $75 and $150 sponsorship tickets; free tickets 10 days before show.

Jan. 14 — Huntley Brown: 3 p.m. Pianist who infuses Christian music with jazz and folk rhythms. First of the Christian Artist Series. $10

Jan. 18 — Naples Philharmonic: 7:30 p.m. Mozart, Wagner, a "Romanian Concerto" and Bruce Edward Miller's "Q: A Chamber Overture." $35, $15 student at 239-597-1900 or artisnaples.org. Fine Arts Series.

Jan. 26 — Atlantic City Boys: 2 and 7 p.m. vocals strong on harmony, plus interactive comedy. $75 and $150 sponsorship tickets; free tickets 10 days before show.

Feb. 1 — Seraph Brass: 7:30 p.m. Women with brass, a quintet that performs from a variety of eras and genres. $10

Feb. 8 — Naples Philharmonic: 7:30 p.m. Beethoven, Vaughn Williams, Mozart, Schubert. $35, $15 student at 239-597-1900 or artisnaples.org. Fine Arts Series.

Feb 16 — Charlie Romo: 2 and 7 p.m. In time for Valentine's giving, a crooner of American Songbook ballads and more. $75 and $150 sponsorship tickets; free tickets 10 days before show

Feb. 18 — Sandi Patty: 6 p.m. International vocalist who blends Christian and songbook music and who is on her final vocal tour. Christian Artist Series. $15

Sandi Patty, coming to First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs

March 9 — Doo Wop Project: 2 and 7 p.m. Doo-wop harmonizers with a range from the Flamingos to Amy Winehouse. $75 and $150 sponsorship tickets; free tickets 10 days before show

March 15 — Purdue Varsity Glee Club: 2 and 7 p.m. Fine Arts Series. $20

March 18 — Lindsey Graham: 3 p.m. Estero-based vocalist with training in both gospel and classical. Christian Artist Series. $10

March 23 — The BriTins: 2 and 7 p.m. Group recreates the music of the Beatles with authentic gear and sound. $75 and $150 sponsorship tickets; free tickets 10 days before show