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Summer Festival of Sacred Music at St. Bart's Continues 7/22
By: Kelsey Denette Jul. 06, 2012
The Summer Festival of Sacred Music continues on Sunday, July 22 at 11 am with a service honoring the memory of Gerre Hancock and featuring his music.
Gerre Hancock, organist, conductor and composer was the Organist and Choirmaster of St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue from 1971-2004. During this time he built the music program of this parish into one of the most renowned church music programs in the world with a top notch men and boys choir which sang an average of six services weekly and many concerts in New York and throughout the world. Dr. Hancock was also known as a superb improvisor at the organ and many of his legendary concerts ended with an improvised organ symphony based on themes submitted to him immediately prior to his performance. After leaving St. Thomas Church, he became Professor of Organ and Sacred Music at the University of Texas at Austin. He died on January 21, 2012 in Austin at the age of 78.
St. Bartholomew's Choir will sing Hancock's Preces and Responses, Shepherd of Eager Youth and Deep River. They will also sing the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by T. Tertius Noble, a predecessor of Dr. Hancock's at St. Thomas Church. William K. Trafka will conduct the choir. Paolo Bordignon will be the organist.
The Summer Festival of Sacred Music takes place each Sunday morning at 11 am at St. Bartholomew's Church during the summer months. At a time when most churches reduce their musical offerings, St. Bartholomew's Church provides outstanding sacred music sung by St. Bartholomew's Choir and Boy and Girl Choristers, two of New York City's most renowned choirs. Works include an array of mass settings from the 15th century to the present embracing a diversity of cultures from around the world. The music is sung as part of the 11 am service, the liturgical context for which it was composed. All Summer Festival events are free and open to the public.
The Summer Festival of Sacred Music takes place at St. Bart's, located at the corner of Park Avenue and 51st Street. Subway: 6 to 51st Street. For more information, call (212) 378-0222 or visit our website for the complete schedule.
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