Free noon organ recital today at St. John's, Lafayette Square

Michael Lodico at the Lively-Fulcher Pipe Organ, St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C./photo by Patricia Leslie

Michael Lodico, newly appointed director of music ministry and organist at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, will present a free program of German and French organ music today at the church beginning at 12:10 p.m.

Mr. Lodico who began his musical career at age six with piano lessons, is a North Carolina native who graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where he studied organ, harpsichord, improvisation, and piano.

A Fulbright Scholar to the Netherlands who completed a master's degree in music at the Amsterdam Conservatory, Mr. Lodico has presented concerts throughout the world, including a cathedrals tour in Scotland and England where he played the organ in holy places.

Mr. Lodico is also a critic who writes about musical festivals and performances he attends around the globe.

His concert today is part of St. John's First Wednesday Concert Series, presented from October through June at no cost to the public.

  St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

St. John's was founded in 1815 and is known to Washington residents as the yellow church at Lafayette Square.  It's often called the “Church of the Presidents” since beginning with James Madison who was president from 1809 to 1817, every president has been a member of St. John's or has attended services there. A plaque at the rear of St. John's designates the pew where President Abraham Lincoln often sat when he stopped by the church during the Civil War. 

First Wednesday concerts begin at 12:10 p.m. and last about 35 minutes. Food trucks are located at Farragut Square, two blocks away.

Who: Michael Lodico playing German and French organ music

What: First Wednesday Concerts

When: 12:10 p.m., November 2, 2016

Where: St. John’s, Lafayette Square, 1525 H Street, NW, at the corner of 16th, Washington, D.C. 20005

How much: No charge

Duration: About 35 minutes

Wheelchair accessible

Metro stations: McPherson Square (White House exit), Farragut North, or Farragut West

For more information: Contact Michael Lodico, St. John's director of music ministry, at 202-270-6265.

Upcoming dates and artists of the First Wednesday Concerts are:

December 7: Madrigal Singers from St. Albans & National Cathedral schools will sing seasonal music under the direction of Brandon Straub

January 4, 2017: Concert organist Janet Yieh will play works by Mendelssohn, Messiaen, and the "Beatles" Toccata

February 1: Jazz vocalist Sara Jones will sing a Winter Escape, accompanied by the Dan Dufford Ensemble

April 5: Soloists from St. John's Choir will sing

May 3: Thomas Smith, the director of music at Christ Church, Georgetown, will play A Journey to Merrie Olde England - A Recital of English Organ Music

June 7: Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 will be played by the U.S. Air Force Strings with trumpeter Mary Bowden
 
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