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A Concert of
American Music (July 6, 2003) Our 2nd Annual Independence Weekend Concert was full of musical fireworks and fine performances by a father-son team of Episcopal musicians. The sanctuary was filled for this musical celebration. Performing at our Rodgers digital/pipe organ was James Strand, Director of Music at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Before moving to Maine, Mr. Strand held the rank of Professor of Music at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. He has performed concerts throughout the Midwest, on the East Coast, in Amsterdam, London, and now Cape Porpoise.
Jon Strand brought his trumpet to join his father in several works American composers. Jon is an active Episcopal priest in Natick, MA. He received his musical training from Wichita State University and his Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School. The congregation joined in singing two hymns, "God of the Ages" and "America.' Following the singing of "America," James Strand performed Charles Ives' "Variations on 'America.'" The audience enjoyed the variations, including the sections performed in several different keys at the same time! The concert concluded with "Variations on the National Anthem" by David Buck. As the variations concluded, the 110-person "choir" joined in singing our National Anthem - thus bringing the concert to an end with a burst of true patriotic fervor. A CD of this concert is available at the church. This was the sixth in our series of organ concerts. It was the vision of Keith McClelland, our former organist and choir director, that our church become a center for excellence in musical performance. Thus, we have established the Keith McClelland Memorial Concert Fund. These concerts are supported through generous individual gifts and a free-will donations at the door. The Church on the Cape |
