St. Michael's Church, Litchfield, CT

Plan ahead for May:
The Transforming Power of American Music by Marguerite Mullée will be presented at Wisdom House on Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Soul, rock, civil rights songs and contemporary music have shaken world views, questioned the status quo and transformed the American Spirit. This program will examine the times and the music of the people by using audio, video and the participant’s own voices. Fee: $40 (includes lunch) Bring a friend for $25 payable at registration. For more information call Wisdom House at 860.567.3163, Email: programs@wisdomhouse.org or visit: www.wisdomhouse.org/program/calendar.html

On February 2, some people think only of those furry critters that look for their shadows, like Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania. In fact, there is a bit more to the day than that.

February 2 is exactly halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox, the astronomical midpoint. It is also Candlemas Day. In the Christian tradition, it is the day when a year’s supply of candles is blessed.

It was not held as a good omen if the day itself was bright and sunny, for that betokened snow and frost to continue for 6 more weeks. Whatever the groundhogs forecast for this Saturday, St. Michael’s is presenting a wonderful Candlemas Evensong – a liturgy of sung evening prayer that will warm your soul! Join us at 5pm for this brief service, followed by a reception in the community house.

Come hear highlights from your favorite
John Williams’ movie scores!

Friday, March 8 at 8 PM
Litchfield Intermediate School, Litchfield

Saturday, March 9 at 8 PM
NVCC Fine Arts Center, Waterbury

Featuring highlights from:
Star Wars, Harry Potter, E.T., Schindler’s List (featuring Alyce Cognetta Bertz, violin), Raiders of the Lost Ark and many more!

Have your photo taken with Storm Troopers from the 501st Connecticut Garrison or with members from the Rebel Forces!
(Saturday, March 9 performance only)

The Citrus Sale to benefit the 4 children and 1 adult choirs of Chorus Angelicus based in Torrington – 2 training choirs, Junior and Senior Choirs and Gaudeamus – has begun.

The choirs train throughout the year and sing at a highly professional level in the Northwest Corner and the Hartford and Farmington Valley areas. The children learn to perform complex music from around the world as well as music theory and the poise that performing brings. If you were lucky enough to be in the audience at the Christmas Angelicus performance at St. Michael’s this year, you know how fabulous these choirs are!

The citrus sale is their major fund raiser. Visit this link to learn about the organization.
http://www.chorusangelicus. org/index.php?id=2

Fruit will be fresh picked from Florida and California and delivered around Feb. 23. Susie Pollock, whose granddaughters all belong to Chorus Angelicus, will take your orders and deliver the fruit to St. Michael’s.

Oranges – approx. 72/case. Full case – $32.00 Half case – $22.00
Grapefruit – approx. 40/case Full case – $32.00 Half case – $22.00
Orders and payments should be made by February 6.

St. Michael’s young people, Claire and Anna Ryan, Emma McLellan and Abigail Yanaway, sing with the Junior and Senior Choirs and have had extraordinary experiences and musical training which will last a lifetime!

December 26, 2PM – You are invited to a very special piano recital by Annie-Rose Tindall-Gibson. Last year, Annie-Rose presented a benefit recital at St. Michael’s for the music program. This year she is offering a performance as a gift to the congregation of St. Michael’s Church. A perfect way to exhale and relax the day after Christmas!
A small reception will follow in the library.

The Waterbury Symphony, with our own Jim Bush on the harpsichord, drew a sold-out crowd to this year’s Handel’s Messiah performance!

The sound of the plucked string of the harp has enchanted and transformed people for thousands of years. This ancient instrument, cherished as a gift from the gods, has been used for transformation and transition throughout the world. Marcie Swift presents a free Celtic Harp Performance at the Oliver Wolcott Library on Wednesday, December 5 from 7-8pm. Call 860.567.8030 for registration.

Concert La Lombardesca – the golden era of the Baroque in 17th century Poland

NOTE: The performance at Trinity Lime Rock is completely SOLD OUT. However, there are still tickets available for the 6pm November 10 Saturday performance at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington. Buy them online www.worldclassmusic.org

Crescendo – with support of the Polish Cultural Institute in New York – presents a concert of Baroque Polish Poly-choral Sacred Works. This performance will feature some of the greatest works of this genre by six Polish composers of the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries:
Mikołaj Zieleński (ca.1550–c.1616)
Adam Jarzębski (c. 1590-c. 1648)
Bartłomiej Pękiel (1633-c.1670)
Grzegorz Gerwazy Gorczycki (1665/67-1734)

Since it was premiered in Dublin in 1741, Handel’s Messiah has continued to inspire with its message of joy and celebration. Soloists from the Yale University opera program and the chorus of Naugatuck Valley Community College will give voice to this timeless classic when the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra reprises their sold-out show at St. Michael’s-Litchfield on December 8, 2012 at 8pm.

If you missed this masterpiece last year, be sure to get your tickets early. Hallelujah!

Date: Sunday, August 26
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Tapping Reeve House Lawn (rain location: Litchfield History Museum)
Fee: Free!
Registration required.

Join us for our summer musical series! Phil Rosenthal will perform folk, bluegrass and traditional country music. Phil, a former Connecticut State Troubadour, is known worldwide for his rich baritone voice and expert picking on banjo, guitar and mandolin. A successful songwriter (his compositions have been recorded by Bill Monroe and Johnny Cash) and record producer, he has performed on stages around the world, including the White House and the Grand Ole Opry. Bring a lawn chair and your dancing shoes!

To register for this program, call (860) 567-4501 or email registration@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org.