Music At St. Mary's concert series announced
The 2025-26 series began with an organ recital featuring Hillsboro-born, Jim McLaughlin on Oct. 12. He was assisted by flautist Jennie Harner and organist John Glaze. There was a great crowd present for the event.
On Nov. 9 at 3 p.m., Steve and Lisa Ball will be returning after several years. Previously, Steve presented his program on Music of the Civil War. This year, he will present “The Music of the Women of the Civil War.” This program shares contributions made by women of the period to some of the most popular tunes, the contributions of women as performers, musicians, activists, and writers. Steve specializes in the music of the American Civil War and has performed across the United States.
On Nov. 30 at 3 p.m., Hillsboro’s Second Christmas organ crawl will be held. Attendees will begin at First Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m., where Ruth White will present a short program of Christmas music on the historic Felgemaker Organ. This is the city’s only tracker action organ.
Following that, folks may walk or drive on to Hillsboro Global Methodist Church where organist Mindy Lee will present her program on that church’s pipe organ. Finally, the attendees will head to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church for the organ program presented by John Glaze.
St. Mary’s has an organ from 1885, originally built by Koehnken and Grimm of Cincinnati as a tracker action organ, then converted to the technology of the 1930s by Moeller Organ. Finally, the organ was brought up to 21st century technology in 2009 by Muller Organ. Following this final program, there will be refreshments and a chance to chat with the organists in the Parish House of St. Mary’s. The organ crawl is being held to benefit Highland Humane Society and all donations received will go to that 501(C)(3) organization.
The final December concert will be Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. when Jennie Harner, Lynn Lowell, Marsha Williams and John Glaze present Christmas music on flute, piano, handbells and organ. Please note that this concert is at 2 p.m.
On March 15 at 3 p.m., will be the first concert of the new year when 4 PRAISE, a group made up of Jennie Harner, Mindy Lee, Marilyn Myers and Debbie Vesely will present a two piano/eight hands concert. This group is always a crowd pleaser and their enthusiasm for their craft is palpable.
Dr. Brianna Matzke of Cincinnati is a dynamic pianist showing a sense of refinement, flair and technical prowess. She is an avid performer and commissioner of new music and has appeared in concerts around the world. This concert will be presented on April 19 at 3 p.m.
Returning to Music At St. Mary’s on May 3 at 3 p.m. will be Workman and Wiget in Recital. Dr. Stanley Workman, baritone is an assistant professor in fine arts, digital arts and performing arts at Shawnee State University, as well as artistic director of the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts in Portsmouth. In addition, he is director of music at the Second Presbyterian Church of Portsmouth. Performing also is Justin Wiget, a tenor, who is organist and choirmaster at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Portsmouth and is a music specialist for the Clay Local School District in Scioto County. Each man will be singing while being accompanied by the other.
Music At St. Mary’s is provided to the community and supported by donations offered at the concerts, as well as by several generous friends in the community. We believe good music should be accessible to all. Concerts are held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 234 N. High Street in Hillsboro and each begins at 3 p.m. (except as noted). More information may be accessed at www.masmhillsboro.weebly.com.