Atlanta Symphony, New Pipe Organ To Highlight First Performance Of St. Brigid’s Concert Series

Published: September 23, 2004

ATLANTA—The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Norman Mackenzie, will join organist Peter Marshall in an inaugural concert for the new 3,832-pipe organ at St. Brigid Church in Alpharetta on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 2:30 p.m. The new 37-rank organ was constructed by Casavant Frères of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, and installed in August.

The concert will feature works of Gabrieli, Handel, Mozart, Widor, Vivaldi and others. Marshall will perform Handel’s Organ Concerto, known as “The Cuckoo and the Nightingale,” as well as solo works for organ. Other featured musicians will include the symphony’s brass section and the choirs of St. Brigid. A special post-concert dinner with ASO musicians at the Country Club of the South is also being offered for $45 per person. The concert is free through complimentary tickets.

In addition, the choirs of St. Brigid, under the direction of director Rhett Barnwell, will present an Advent Vespers concert on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. The program will include Scripture readings, carols and a variety of traditional and contemporary music provided by the parish and matins choirs, the children’s choirs, Life Teen Band and guest instrumentalists on strings and brass. There is no admission charge, but a “love offering” will be taken.

On Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, organist Keith Shafer will perform at 8 p.m. He has been a finalist in all major organ playing competitions in the United States and has appeared in concert throughout the country. Since 1983 he has been director of music and organist of the historic St. Paul Church in Augusta. He has made a number of recordings and compact discs that have been heard on the National Public Radio program “Pipedreams” and on Georgia Public Radio’s “Performance Showcase.” Tickets for this concert are $10.

On Saturday, April 16, 2005, at 8 p.m., pianist Piotr Folkert will perform. His performance schedule regularly takes him to the great concert stages of North America and has been highlighted by frequent engagements at Carnegie Hall. In 1995 he was a winner of The Annual Young Artist International Piano Award in New York, and in 1990 of The International Chamber Music Competition in Caltanisetta, Italy, among other awards. Tickets for this performance are also $10.

St. Brigid’s is offering sponsorships that are also available for the season for $5,000, $2,500, $1,000, $500, $250 and $100.

To obtain tickets for the performances, call the church office at (678) 393-0060 or e-mail rbarnwell@saintbrigid.org. For more information call (678) 393-0060.