The “Brick Church” Music Series 2016 – 2017 Season

October 16, 2016
3:00 p.m.
Michael T. C. Hey, organ

Described as “flashy” and “exciting” (The American Organist, 2012), Michael Hey has been increasingly visible on concert stages across the country. In 2010, he made his New York  City  debut in Alice Tully Hall  performing with the Juilliard  Orchestra. He has since performed solo recitals at Lincoln Center, Kimmel Center (Philadelphia), Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.), and the Esplanade (Singapore).

He graduated in 2014 from the Juilliard School with bachelor and master of music degrees in organ performance under Paul Jacobs. He was immediately appointed Assistant Director of Music and Organist of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City where, in September 2015, he performed for Masses for the first U.S. visit of Pope Francis. Mr. Hey was one of the finalists in the 2016 Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition (Pennsylvania).

Compositions by J.S. Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will be heard.

 

November 6, 2016
3:00 p.m.
Adaskin String Trio
Emlyn Ngai, violin, Steve Larson, viola, Mark Fraser, cello

The Adaskin String Trio has won over audiences with exuberant playing and programming that blends classical masterpieces with unexpected treasures. Critics agree – their playing has been hailed for “vigor, precision and stylistic certitude” (Charleston Gazette) as well as “spontaneity, intensity and charm” (Peninsula Review). Formed in 1994, the trio performs extensively throughout the United States and Canada. Although the Adaskin String Trio is currently based in New England, the members of the trio are all originally from Canada. They met in Montreal where they later completed two years as ensemble-in-residence at The Hartt School under the guidance of the Emerson Quartet.

Their program will consist of compositions by Alexis Roland-Manuel, Michael White, and Ludwig van Beethoven.

March 26, 2017
3:00 p.m.
Patricia Snyder, organ

Dr. Patricia Snyder, now Director of Music Ministry at Storrs Congregational Church on the UConn Campus, earned her B.M. from the University of Western Ontario, and her MMA and DMA from Yale. She has taught organ at Mt. Holyoke College, Smith College, and UMass, Amherst.

A prizewinner of many competitions, she performs frequently for AGO Conventions and presents recitals in Canada, Europe, Japan and the USA. She will play music by Bach, Böhm, Vierne, and Wammes.

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April 30, 2017   (rescheduled from February 12 due to snow storm)
3:00 p.m.
Sirena Huang, violin, Pi-Hsun Shih, piano

Sirena Huang, a Taiwanese-American concert violinist, began her career at age nine as soloist with The National Taiwan Symphony. Her early training was at Hartt College, Hartford, CT., and at Juilliard School in New York City. She now performs world-wide to critical acclaim for her great maturity and technical command far beyond her twenty-two years.

Pi-Hsun Shih enjoys a versatile career as a soloist, collaborative pianist, and teacher. The Taiwanese-American musician has been a featured soloist with the Sao Paulo State Symphony, The Hartt Symphony, and the Mexico State Symphony Orchestra.

Composers to be heard will be: Stravinsky, Paganini, He Zhan-Hao and Chen Gang, Brahms, and Ravel.