Welcome to the source of our Space for Grace Concerts here at First Christian, Wilson.
Composed of primarily two Noonday Series,
this collection of concerts is meant to provide a space for
departure, meditation and renewal.
All concerts are free and open to all.
Continue down to view our upcoming concerts, join our email list
and view those who have supported the series!
If you wish to give to this series, we welcome such donations!
Click the button below and in the 'memo' line, please designate "Music Series".
Composed of primarily two Noonday Series,
this collection of concerts is meant to provide a space for
departure, meditation and renewal.
All concerts are free and open to all.
Continue down to view our upcoming concerts, join our email list
and view those who have supported the series!
If you wish to give to this series, we welcome such donations!
Click the button below and in the 'memo' line, please designate "Music Series".
Upcoming Concerts
The Sounds of Summer Series
Wednesday, June 9 | NOON | Christopher Pharo, organist
Christopher John Pharo is Organist and Choirmaster for Calvary Episcopal Church, Tarboro, NC. Mr. Pharo began formal organ study in 2007 under Ms. Carolyn Crossland in Kinston while attending Lenoir Community College; and later under Mr. Andrew Scanlon at East Carolina University where he is pursuing his undergraduate degree in Sacred Music. Mr. Pharo has performed in solo and group recitals in North Carolina and Maine. He has served as Organ Scholar for the Royal School of Church Music Carolina Course (2011) based in Raleigh, NC, and continues to work as a proctor (2012 – present) for the RSCM Charlotte Course. Upcoming performances for Mr. Pharo include St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilmington, NC, Davidson College Presbyterian Church in Davidson, NC, and he has been invited to be the inaugural Featured Organ Scholar for the Nantucket Community Music Center’s Annual Organ Crawl in Nantucket, MA. As Director of Music for Calvary, Mr. Pharo oversees a traditional choral program which includes one adult choir and three children’s choirs. Mr. Pharo has an active piano and organ studio and works as a freelance accompanist for choirs and individual singers throughout eastern NC. Mr. Pharo resides in Tarboro with his dog, Duke (no collegiate affiliation).
Mr. Pharo will be performing the works of Bach, Kodaly, Price, Haan and Widor.
Mr. Pharo will be performing the works of Bach, Kodaly, Price, Haan and Widor.
Wednesday, June 23 | NOON | Vonda Darr, harp
Vonda Darr is currently the principal classical harpist for the North Carolina Symphony. She has been the principal harpist for the Augusta Symphony Orchestra in Georgia since 1993 and was principal harpist for the Augusta Opera for twelve years. She will be performing with the Brevard Music Center Orchestra for the 2021 Summer Institute. As part of the NCS, she participated in the inaugural SHIFT Festival for American Orchestras, performing in both the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Institution. As an orchestral musician, she has performed with musicians including Art Garfunkel, LeAnn Rimes, Ronnie Milsap, Amy Grant, Matthew Morrison, and Olivia Newton-John.
She has also performed on the national tours of Broadway’s The King and I and Weird Al Yankovic’s Strings Attached tour.
Vonda is an active chamber and solo recitalist. She performs as Duo Venandi with flutist Wendy Cohen, as the Vega Harp Duo with harpist Carolyn Munford, and is a founding member of the Lyra Vivace Chamber Ensemble. She performed with LACE (Living Art Collective Ensemble) at the National Gallery of Art in DC, has performed on the North Carolina Symphony Manning Chamber Series, and has been a frequent guest artist with Chamber Music Charleston. Vonda has also presented concerts for the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and for the American Harp Society National Conference. Vonda’s mutual love of classical and rock music has led her to form a duo with percussionist Matthew Jones, performing pop and rock music and experimenting with effects pedals.
Ms. Darr has recorded two solo harp CD's, Prayers Without Words and Hear the Angels: A Christmas Collection. Duo Venandi's debut CD Fantasie has been featured nationally on public radio through Classical 24.
She has also performed on the national tours of Broadway’s The King and I and Weird Al Yankovic’s Strings Attached tour.
Vonda is an active chamber and solo recitalist. She performs as Duo Venandi with flutist Wendy Cohen, as the Vega Harp Duo with harpist Carolyn Munford, and is a founding member of the Lyra Vivace Chamber Ensemble. She performed with LACE (Living Art Collective Ensemble) at the National Gallery of Art in DC, has performed on the North Carolina Symphony Manning Chamber Series, and has been a frequent guest artist with Chamber Music Charleston. Vonda has also presented concerts for the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and for the American Harp Society National Conference. Vonda’s mutual love of classical and rock music has led her to form a duo with percussionist Matthew Jones, performing pop and rock music and experimenting with effects pedals.
Ms. Darr has recorded two solo harp CD's, Prayers Without Words and Hear the Angels: A Christmas Collection. Duo Venandi's debut CD Fantasie has been featured nationally on public radio through Classical 24.
Wednesday, July 14 | NOON
Matthew Joyner, tenor & Dexter Ruffin, pianist
Matthew Joyner, tenor & Dexter Ruffin, pianist
Mr. Joyner and Mr. Ruffin will be sharing works of Purcell, Schubert, Caplet, Rossini, Hogan and Johnson.
Matthew Joyner is the Director of Choirs at Ralph L. Fike High School where he teaches mixed chorus and the Fike Vocal Ensemble.
He graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from East Carolina University. There he was a member of the world-renowned choir, the ECU Chamber Singers, and an active member in the ECU Opera Theatre. He has sung under major clinicians such as Simon Carrington and John Rutter, and also performed the roles of Lord Tolloller in Arthur Sullivan's Iolanthe and Mr. Erlansen in Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. Joyner is also a sought after tenor soloist for recitals and church services, most recently singing the solo in Camille Saint-Saën's Oratorio de Noël. He made his Wilson theater debut as the Doctor/Escapologist in 2019's summer musical, Matilda: The Musical, and has music directed the Playhouse's production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: The Musical (October 2019) and ACT for Youth's production of A Little Princess: The Musical (February 2020).
He is an active member of NAfME (National Association for Music Education), NCMEA (North Carolina Music Educator's Association), ACDA (American Choral Director's Association), and Pi Kappa Lambda Honors Society.
Matthew Joyner is the Director of Choirs at Ralph L. Fike High School where he teaches mixed chorus and the Fike Vocal Ensemble.
He graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from East Carolina University. There he was a member of the world-renowned choir, the ECU Chamber Singers, and an active member in the ECU Opera Theatre. He has sung under major clinicians such as Simon Carrington and John Rutter, and also performed the roles of Lord Tolloller in Arthur Sullivan's Iolanthe and Mr. Erlansen in Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. Joyner is also a sought after tenor soloist for recitals and church services, most recently singing the solo in Camille Saint-Saën's Oratorio de Noël. He made his Wilson theater debut as the Doctor/Escapologist in 2019's summer musical, Matilda: The Musical, and has music directed the Playhouse's production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: The Musical (October 2019) and ACT for Youth's production of A Little Princess: The Musical (February 2020).
He is an active member of NAfME (National Association for Music Education), NCMEA (North Carolina Music Educator's Association), ACDA (American Choral Director's Association), and Pi Kappa Lambda Honors Society.
Dexter Ruffin is a native of Wilson, North Carolina. As a young boy, at the age of nine, he taught himself to play the piano by ear. His remarkable talent was soon discovered and he was given professional training by Nancy Ping-Robbins of Wilson, Dr. Henry Doskey of the East Carolina University School of Music, and Eric Larsen at the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he received a B.A. degree in Piano Performance in (year). Dexter won the “Student of the Year” award in 2002, presented by the community of Wilson. In 2006 he won the North Carolina School of the Arts Concerto Competition performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1.
Dexter has performed for numerous audiences on numerous occasions. He recalls a particularly memorable incident where he featured Liszt’s Liebestraum on a program. During the reception that followed the program, an elderly woman approached him and stated she had heard, in person, the famous Polish pianist, Ignace Jan Paderewski, play that same piece. Dexter had studied Paderwski, but this incident made the nineteenth century pianist seem more real.
Well-read and attuned to music history and the history of piano playing, Dexter has a broad understanding and deep appreciation for the art. His music education, he states, connects him to the great composers and pianists of the past. He finds their contributions an endless source of inspiration.
Mr. Ruffin currently serves as Music Minister at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Wilson. He attended the Baltimore International Piano Festival in 2019 where the legendary Leon Fleisher was present and where he won first prize. In 2020, he won the Concerto Competition hosted by the East Carolina University School of Music.
Dexter has performed for numerous audiences on numerous occasions. He recalls a particularly memorable incident where he featured Liszt’s Liebestraum on a program. During the reception that followed the program, an elderly woman approached him and stated she had heard, in person, the famous Polish pianist, Ignace Jan Paderewski, play that same piece. Dexter had studied Paderwski, but this incident made the nineteenth century pianist seem more real.
Well-read and attuned to music history and the history of piano playing, Dexter has a broad understanding and deep appreciation for the art. His music education, he states, connects him to the great composers and pianists of the past. He finds their contributions an endless source of inspiration.
Mr. Ruffin currently serves as Music Minister at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Wilson. He attended the Baltimore International Piano Festival in 2019 where the legendary Leon Fleisher was present and where he won first prize. In 2020, he won the Concerto Competition hosted by the East Carolina University School of Music.
Wednesday, July 28 | NOON | The Craven Brass Quintet
The Craven Brass Quintet offers a unique musical repertoire ranging from Baroque to Blues. The Quintet’s music library includes brass compositions form the Baroque era, the early American period, the Civil War, the Big Band era, New Orleans Dixieland and Ragtime, traditional Bavarian and German music and music for the Holiday seasons.
The Quintet is regularly booked to perform for numerous events both locally and across the State of North Carolina. Events include weddings, patriotic ceremonies, receptions, graduations, military ceremonial events, worship services and a variety of special events.
In the twenty years the Craven Brass Quintet has been performing it has received rave reviews for its quality performances, versatility and enjoyable performances. The members of the Quintet are dedicated to the preservation of brass music and to the performance of that music in a manner that is enjoyable to the listener as well as the performer.
The CRAVEN BRASS QUINTET is comprised of: two trumpets, Dan Jones and Joe Brinson; French Horn, Andrew Howell; Trombone, Max Mascia; and Tuba, Brian McBride.
The Quintet is regularly booked to perform for numerous events both locally and across the State of North Carolina. Events include weddings, patriotic ceremonies, receptions, graduations, military ceremonial events, worship services and a variety of special events.
In the twenty years the Craven Brass Quintet has been performing it has received rave reviews for its quality performances, versatility and enjoyable performances. The members of the Quintet are dedicated to the preservation of brass music and to the performance of that music in a manner that is enjoyable to the listener as well as the performer.
The CRAVEN BRASS QUINTET is comprised of: two trumpets, Dan Jones and Joe Brinson; French Horn, Andrew Howell; Trombone, Max Mascia; and Tuba, Brian McBride.
Wednesday, August 18 | NOON
Elizabeth Winstead, soprano; Cindy Darden, pianist
Jack Fisher, clarinet
Elizabeth Winstead, soprano; Cindy Darden, pianist
Jack Fisher, clarinet
Elizabeth Winstead is a native of Wilson, N C. who earned degrees in music from Meredith College and East Carolina University. She is a versatile singer who is equally at home performing on the opera, oratorio, concert, or theatrical stage. She has spent many years as a teacher of singing both in her home studio and at Barton College and Methodist University. Five years ago she opened The Singers Studio in downtown Wilson where she and a consortium of teachers offers lessons in voice, piano, and acting. Elizabeth is a long-standing member of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and regularly adjudicates state, regional, and national competitions. She has also served as a guest lecturer and master clinician for community college and university music programs.
In addition to singing, Elizabeth enjoys conducting, directing, and producing. She has served as conductor for church, community, and university choirs, including the Tar River Chorus, The Playhouse Choral Society, and the Methodist University Women’s Chorus. She has worked as music director for theatrical productions with Theatre at Barton, Methodist University Theatre, Playhouse of Wilson, and Act for Youth. Elizabeth has produced four shows under The Singers Studio, most recently 13: The Musical and Puffs. Currently, Elizabeth is proud to be collaborating with the Arts Council of Wilson to bring Cinderella to the Wilson stage in July!
In addition to singing, Elizabeth enjoys conducting, directing, and producing. She has served as conductor for church, community, and university choirs, including the Tar River Chorus, The Playhouse Choral Society, and the Methodist University Women’s Chorus. She has worked as music director for theatrical productions with Theatre at Barton, Methodist University Theatre, Playhouse of Wilson, and Act for Youth. Elizabeth has produced four shows under The Singers Studio, most recently 13: The Musical and Puffs. Currently, Elizabeth is proud to be collaborating with the Arts Council of Wilson to bring Cinderella to the Wilson stage in July!
Cindy Darden has been conducting the Tar River Chorus for 3 years. She brings a plethora of choral music to the group, having taught high school choral music and led church music ministry programs for the past 38 years in Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina.
Mrs. Darden holds a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and master's degree in vocal performance from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. She adjudicates for Music In the Parks Music Festival in Williamsburg, Virginia, accompanies various regional recitals and concerts on the piano, and is active in the music program at First Methodist Church, Wilson. She and her husband, Cliff have five grandchildren and enjoy traveling in their spare time.
Mrs. Darden holds a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and master's degree in vocal performance from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville. She adjudicates for Music In the Parks Music Festival in Williamsburg, Virginia, accompanies various regional recitals and concerts on the piano, and is active in the music program at First Methodist Church, Wilson. She and her husband, Cliff have five grandchildren and enjoy traveling in their spare time.
Jack Fisher received the BS in Music Education from Duquesne University; MS in Music Education, the College of New Jersey;
MA in Library and Information Science, University of South Florida .
After a career as a music educator and librarian, Mr. Fisher enjoys performing with various groups and for special events. He also sings with a barbershop group and is active in his church choir.
MA in Library and Information Science, University of South Florida .
After a career as a music educator and librarian, Mr. Fisher enjoys performing with various groups and for special events. He also sings with a barbershop group and is active in his church choir.
Contributors
Our deepest gratitude is extended to all who have helped sustain these concerts through their generous donations. Donations listed below are for the year 2021.
ContributorOtto E. Baron
Melody Bell Gilda Cauley Patsy Ferrell in memory of Boots Philyaw Dick Gurkin Susan and Susanna Oates in memory of Allen & Irene Harrell in honor of Their many grand & greatgrandchildren Nan Owens in memory of Kirby Owens in honor of Bobby & Shirley Langston Becky Stott Jean Tyson in memory of John Beland Darcelle Vance |
SupporterAnonymous
Lisa Anderson Keith & Sherry Brenner Wayne DuBois in honor of America's War Veterans Kelley Garris in honor of The First Baptist Sanctuary Choir Linda & Skip Hanson Vivian Whiteman in honor of Casey Childers and all musicians in this Summer Series Sheila Wiggins |
Benefactor |
Donor |
|
Helen Batts
in memory of David Batts in honor of Charles & Gilda Cauley Paul & Betsy Brewer John & Annette Glover Julia Keville in honor of Casey Childers Dan & Susan Shackleford Larry & Joyce Wolfe |
Mary Louise Gray
in memory of Bobby Gray in honor of Beulah Koulouris Gary & Linda Walling |