An ethereal concert at St. John's, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C.

Jared Denhard with his bagpipes and  Michael Lodico on the organ at the First Wednesday concert at St. John's Episcopal Church.  The eagle landed and approved/Photo by Patricia Leslie

It wasn't that I had died and gone to heaven; I had just gone to heaven at St. John's Episcopal Church, listening to Jared Denhard's bagpipes and Celtic harp, and Michael Lodico on the organ at the church's mid-day First Wednesday concert.

I still breathed, but barely, and floated in the tranquility of the moment, hearing the celestial sounds which carried me far away to peaceful places, a respite for any soul seeking truth and beauty. 

Michael Lodico played at the First Wednesday concert at St. John's Episcopal Church/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

The presentation began with Pipe Dreams and then My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, followed by Highland Cathedral, O'Carolan Suite for Celtic Harp, Maids of Morn Shore for Celtic Harp, and to finish, Over the Hills Medley which included Amazing Grace whose beauty still remains in my mind for which I am grateful.

At the end of the performance I found myself wanting to buy the artists' CD, but none was offered.

Jared Denhard on the bagpipes at the First Wednesday concert at St. John's Episcopal Church/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 

The crowd continues to grow at these concerts (I estimate about 200 attended last week), and it's no wonder since, in just 35 minutes, they can embrace you quickly and carry you off to just about anywhere you want to go.

Only three concerts remain in this year's First Wednesday series, and April 19th's will be on a Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. when the St. John's Choir will sing.

The May and June Wednesday performances will begin at 12:10 p.m. Food trucks are located at Farragut Square, two blocks away, for those on lunch break.

Who:  St. John's Choir

What: Spring Concert

When: 4 p.m., April 19, 2015

May 6, 12:10 p.m. The U.S. Air Force Strings accompanied by Benjamin Hutto on the organ will play a Handel concerto and other works.

June 3, 12:10 p.m.  Benjamin Straley, organist at the Washington National Cathedral, will perform.

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

How much: No charge

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

patricialesli@gmail.com

Free bagpipes and organ concert at St. John's, Lafayette Square, March 4

Bagpiper Jared Denhard

The Highland piper and Celtic harper, Jared Denhard, will join organist Michael Lodico in a free noontime concert, Pipes and More Pipes, Wednesday at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square.

Organist Michael Lodico

Mr. Lodico is the associate organist and choir master at St. John's who teaches organ and is a music critic.  Mr. Denhard also teaches, composes, and performs at Celtic, jazz, and classical events throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and is a member of the rock band, O'Malley's March, among other groups.   

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 was president 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:  Organist Michael Lodico and bagpiper Jared Denhard 

What: Pipes and More Pipes, First Wednesday Concerts

When: 12:10 p.m., March 4, 2015

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 at 202-270-6265 or 202-347-8766

Future dates and artists of the First Wednesday Concerts are:

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


patricialesli@gmail.com