Free noon strings and organ concert at St. John's, Lafayette Square, May 6

The U.S. Air Force Strings Chamber Orchestra will play at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, in a free noontime concert May 6, 2015.

The U.S. Air Force Strings Orchestra with organist Benjamin Hutto will play the music of George Frederic Handel and Felix Mendelssohn in a free lunchtime concert at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, beginning at
12:10 p.m. Wednesday.

On the program are Mendelssohn’s Sinfonia No. 2 in D and Handel’s Organ Concerto in B flat and his Rodrigo Suite. 

Without a conductor or sheet music, the 20 active duty Air Force musicians can play Broadway show tunes, classic rock, bluegrass, patriotic, and classical symphonic selections.

All are invited to the concert, a lovely respite in the middle of the day.

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

Hutto is the director of music ministry and organist at St. John's and the director of choral activities at St. Albans School for Boys and the Washington Cathedral School for Girls. He is a fellow and past president of the Royal School of Church Music in North America, and the composer of several hymns included in the 1982 Hymnal of the Episcopal Church.

Benjamin Hutto, director of music ministry and organist, St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C.

St. John's, known to many Washington residents as the yellow church at Lafayette Square, is often called the “Church of the Presidents.” Beginning with President James Madison who served the office from 1809 to 1817, every president has been a member of St. John's or has attended services at the church. 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.  Next year St. John's will celebrate its bicentennial.

For those on lunch break Wednesday, food trucks are located at Farragut Square, two blocks away.

Who:  The U.S. Air Force Strings with organist Benjamin Hutto

What: Music of Handel and Mendelssohn

When:  May 6, 2015, 12:10 p.m.

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

How much: No charge

Duration:  35 minutes

Wheelchair accessible

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

For more information: Contact Michael Lodico at 202-270-6265 or 202-347-8766

The last of this season's First Wednesday concerts at St. John's is set for June 3, 12:10 p.m. when Benjamin Straley, organist at the Washington National Cathedral, will play.

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Free Christmas concert Dec. 3 at St. John's, Lafayette Square

The Madrigal Singers from St. Albans and National Cathedral schools, Washington, D.C., will sing a Christmas concert December 3, 2014 at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square

The Madrigal Singers from St. Albans and National Cathedral schools will sing music of the season in a free noon concert on Wednesday at St. John's, Lafayette Square.  The 36 choristers attend grades 10 through 12 at the schools which are affiliated with the Washington National Cathedral.

According to Benjamin Hutto, who directs the singers and the music ministry at St. John's, the program will include popular tunes, medieval, sacred, and spiritual music:

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Plainsong, sung in procession)

Exaltate Deo (Palestrina)

Dixit Maria (Hassler)

Ding, Dong! Merrily On High (French carol, arr. Wood)

Jesus, Good Above All Other (German carol, arr. Scott)

Stille Nacht (Grüber, arr. Humphris)

Great Day (Spiritual, arr. Martin)

There Is A Balm In Gildead (Spiritual, arr. Poovey)

A Merry Christmas (Traditional, arr. Warrell)

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (Willson, arr. Huff)

The presentation is one of St. John's First Wednesday Concerts, always performed without charge and lasting about 35 minutes.

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

St. John's, known to many Washington residents as the yellow church at Lafayette Square, is often called the “Church of the Presidents.” Beginning with President James Madison, who served from 1809 to 1817, every president has been a member of St. John's or has attended services at the church. 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.

All concerts start at 12:10 p.m. (with an exception in April), and last about 35 minutes. Food trucks are located at Farragut Square, two blocks away, for those on lunch break.

Who:  The Madrigal Singers from National Cathedral and St. Albans schools

What:  First Wednesday Concerts

When: 12:10 p.m., December 3, 2014

Where: St. John’s, Lafayette Square, 1525 H Street, NW, at the corner of 16^th, 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 associate organist and choir director, at 202-270-6265 or 202-347-8766

Future dates and artists of the First Wednesday Concerts are:

January 7, 2015: Iris Lan plays the Complete Sonatas of Paul Hindemith on the organ

February 4: Lena Seikaly, jazz vocalist, with the Dan Dufford Trio performing works by Duke Ellington and friends

March 4: Jared Denhard, bagpiper, assisted by Michael Lodico, St. John's organist and choirmaster, performing Pipes and More Pipes

April 19 (Sunday), 4 p.m.: Spring Concert by St. John's Choir

May 6: The U.S. Air Force Strings accompanied by Benjamin Hutto performing a Handel organ concerto and other pieces

June 3: Benjamin Straley, organist at the Washington National Cathedral


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Free 'First Wednesday' noon concerts debut Oct. 1 at St. John's, Lafayette Square

The U.S. Army Chorus

 

On October 1 the United States Army Chorus will inaugurate this season's First Wednesday Concert Series at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, accompanied by Benjamin Hutto, organist and director of music ministry at the church.

 

Formed in 1956 to join the U.S. Army Band, the U.S. Army Chorus regularly sings with the National Symphony Orchestra on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and at other patriotic events, and performs for visiting heads of state.  Choristers speak more than 26 languages and dialects, and most hold advanced music degrees.

Their repertoire includes traditional military music, pop, Broadway, folk, and classical tunes. 

Also known as "Pershing's Own," the U.S. Army Chorus is one of the few professional male choruses in the nation, and it sings with symphonies and in concert halls across the U.S.

This year's concert series includes several firsts:  the first jazz concert (Feb. 4, 2015), first concert with bagpipes and organ (Mar. 4, 2015), and the first "complete works" (Jan. 7, 2015).

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

 

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

All concerts will start at 12:10 p.m. (with an exception in April), and last about 35 minutes. Food trucks are located at Farragut Square, two blocks away, for those on lunch break.

Who: The U.S. Army Chorus

What: The First Wednesday Concerts

When: 12:10 p.m., October 1, 2014

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

Food trucks: Located two blocks away at Farragut Square

For more information: Contact Michael Lodico, St. John's associate organist and choir director, at 202-270-6265

Future dates and artists of the First Wednesday Concerts are:

November 5: Greg Morris, associate organist at London's Temple Church, plays A London Portrait

December 3: Madrigal Singers from St. Albans & National Cathedral schools directed by organist Benjamin Hutto, sing seasonal music

January 7, 2015: Iris Lan plays the Complete Sonatas of Paul Hindemith on the organ

February 4: Lena Seikaly, jazz vocalist, with the Dan Dufford Trio performing works by Duke Ellington and friends

March 4: Jared Denhard, bagpiper, assisted by Michael Lodico, St. John's organist and choirmaster, performing Pipes and More Pipes

April 19 (Sunday), 4 p.m.: Spring Concert by St. John's Choir

May 6: The U.S. Air Force Strings accompanied by Benjamin Hutto performing a Handel organ concerto and other pieces

June 3: Benjamin Straley, organist at the Washington National Cathedral

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Free trumpet and organ concert May 7 at St. John's, Lafayette Square

A. Scott Wood

A finalist in the International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition in London and the organist at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, will present an Easter concert on Wednesday, May 7, at the church, and the public is invited to attend at no charge. 

Performing will be A. Scott Wood on the trumpet and organist Benjamin Hutto, the director of music ministry at St. John's.  Both serve on the faculties at St. Albans and National Cathedral schools.  Mr. Wood is the conductor of several local orchestras including the Arlington Philharmonic and the Amadeus Orchestra, and he is assistant conductor of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra.

Benjamin Hutto

Mr. Hutto was named a Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music in 1998 and was president of its North America chapter for seven years. He has served as president of the Association of Anglican Musicians, and several of his works are found in The Hymnal 1982 of the Episcopal Church. 

St. John's hosts First Wednesday concerts every month from October through June at 12:10 p.m. The last program of the season will be June 4 when organist Alan Morrison shall play.

St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square/By Patricia Leslie

Well known as the yellow church at Lafayette Square and the “Church of the Presidents,” St. John's was founded in 1815. President James Madison, who served as president from 1809 to 1817, began a tradition for all presidents who have attended and/or joined St. John's. A plaque at the rear of the church designates the Lincoln Pew where President Abraham Lincoln often sat when he stopped by St. John's during the Civil War.

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Who: Benjamin Hutto, organist, and A. Scott Wood, trumpeter

What:  First Wednesday Concerts
 
When: 12:10 p.m., May 7, 2014

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

How much: No charge

Duration: About 35 minutes

Wheelchair accessible

Metro stations: McPherson Square, Farragut North, or Farragut West

Food trucks: Located two blocks away at Farragut Square

For more information: Contact Michael Lodico at 202-270-6265, Michael.Lodico@stjohns-dc.org.

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Free holiday concert by National Cathedral and St. Albans singers at St. John's, Lafayette Square, Dec. 4

The Madrigal Singers from National Cathedral and St. Albans schools under the direction of Benjamin Hutto (far left)

To celebrate the holiday spirit in a peaceful, stained-glass setting before your calendar fills with parties, why not a free concert by Madrigal Singers?
 

The public is invited to attend a noontime performance on December 4 at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, the host of First Wednesday concerts every month from October through June.

At the December presentation 36 students from the National Cathedral and St. Albans schools will sing traditional hymns and secular songs, medieval and contemporary selections for Christmas and Advent, under the direction of Benjamin Hutto.

St. John's, known to many Washington residents as the yellow church at Lafayette Square, is the “Church of the Presidents.” Beginning with President James Madison, who served the office from 1809 to 1817, every president has either been a member of or has attended services at St. John's.  A plaque at the rear of the church designates the Lincoln Pew where President Abraham Lincoln often sat when he stopped by St. John's during the Civil War.

Other St. John's First Wednesday programs, all starting at 12:10 p.m., are:

January 8, 2014 (2nd Wednesday): Organist Richard Fitzgerald improvises on themes from the stained glass windows of St. John's

February 5: Soloists from St. John's Choir perform baroque music for Valentine's Day

March 12 (2nd Wednesday): Virtuoso Organist Dongho Lee performs Charles Ives's Variations on "America" and other works

April 2: The U.S. Air Force Strings conducted by 2nd Lt. Shanti Nolan, with Michael Lodico, organist, perform Francis Poulenc's Organ Concerto

May 7: Easter music for trumpet and organ with A. Scott Wood and Benjamin Hutto

June 4: Organist Alan Morrison

Who on December 4:  Madrigal Singers from National Cathedral and St. Albans sing seasonal selections, directed by Benjamin Hutto

What:  First Wednesday Concerts

When: 12:10 p.m., December 4, 2013

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

How much: No charge

Duration: About 35 minutes

Wheelchair accessible

Metro stations: McPherson Square, Farragut North, or Farragut West

Food trucks: Located two blocks away at Farragut Square

For more information: Contact Michael Lodico at 202-270-6265, Michael.Lodico@stjohns-dc.org.

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Free organ concert Apr. 3 at St. John's, Lafayette Square

 

Benjamin Hutto, the director of music ministry and organist at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, and director of performing arts at St. Albans and National Cathedral Schools, will play Organ Treasures Old and New, an Easter recital of music by Bruhns, Handel, Stanford, Dubois in a free concert April 3 at St. John's.

Also in the program is Edward Hart's La Joie de Printemps (2012) which Mr. Hutto performed last year in its world premiere at Bethel Methodist Church in Charleston, S.C.  Mr. Hart teaches at the College of Charleston.

Benjamin Hutto, organist at St. John's, Lafayette Square

 

The concert will begin at 12:10 p.m. and end at 12:45 p.m.  It is part of the church's First Wednesday Concert Series which includes:

 

May 1: Alvy Powell, bass-baritone and Gershwin interpreter

June 5: Jeremy Filsell, artist-in-residence at the Washington National Cathedral, performing organ works by Bach, Dupre, and Rachmaninov

Nov. 6: Bianca Garcia and Michael Lodico performing Stephen Cabell's Kokopelliana (re-scheduled from last month's "snow day")

St. John's, known to many Washington residents as the yellow church at Lafayette Square, is often called the “Church of the Presidents.” Beginning with James Madison, president from 1809 to 1817, every president has either been a member of, or has attended services at St. John's, including the Obamas who worshipped here on Easter Sunday. A plaque at the rear of the church designates the Lincoln pew where President Abraham Lincoln often sat when he stopped by St. John's during the Civil War. 
The concert is an excellent refresher and break from what normally may be a pressurized lunch.  Food trucks are located at nearby Farragut Square so you can "eat and run" back to the office.

Who:  Benjamin Hutto playing Organ Treasures Old and New

When: 12:10 p.m., April 3, 2013

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

How much:  No charge

Duration: About 35 minutes

Wheelchair accessible

Metro stations: McPherson Square or Farragut North or West

Food trucks:  Located two blocks away at Farragut Square

For more information: 202-270-6265

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