Music at St. Mary's is back

By John Glaze

After Covid-19 and a two years long project in our church, Music at St. Mary's is back with a full concert schedule. A simple project to replace the HVAC system turned into a major project of replacing all floor joists and flooring, removal of side marble, installation of HVAC, replacement of all electric, installation of new sound equipment plus the ability to move the organ console to the center of the chancel for programs and concerts. In addition, the sanctuary received a new coat of paint and some repair work to the Ascension Window above the altar has recently been performed. Pews were removed and new chairs are arriving soon. We moved into the space on the Day of Pentecost and have been scheduling Music at St. Mary's concerts. 

The series will begin with an Organ Recital with Hillsboro born, Jim McLaughlin on Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. Jim has performed a recital in Hillsboro for many years. He is a retired teacher of music in the Zanesville City Schools and is currently Organist, accompanist and Director of Music at Central Trinity United Methodist Church in Zanesville. Jim is the Music Director for the Zanesville Civic Chorus and teaches organ, piano and voice lessons. 

On Nov. 10, Luces Stellarum, an 8-part mixed a cappella vocal ensemble from Columbus will present a program ranging from early Baroque to Contemporary. Former Hillsboro resident, Christopher Jacky, is a member of this group. 

On Dec. 1, there will be two events! Beginning at 2 p.m., a program by Nashville, Tenn. resident, Parker Hastings will be presented. Twice named National Thumbpicker of the Year, Parker has been playing since childhood and has advanced now to playing on the GRAND OLE OPRY as well as touring the nation. He still remains a fine Kentucky Gentleman, however, and loves to entertain. Parker’s local connection are his grandparents, Don and Carolyn Hastings of Lynchburg. 

Also on Dec. 1, will be Hillsboro’s first ever Holiday Organ Crawl. Attendees will begin at First Presbyterian Church at 4 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. 

The next church on the Crawl is St. Mary Catholic Church which has an Allen Digital Computer Organ. Organist, Lynn Turner, will present the organ music program there. 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. 

On Dec. 8, 4 PRAISE, a women’s dual piano quartet will present a program of Christmas music. A product of the pandemic, around 2021, Marilyn Myers found some music for 8 hand/2 piano. Her church had been using 4 hand piano for some of their streamed services and she thought it would be fun to explore the music she now had. Before long, 4 PRAISE, performing two piano/eight hand music, had its founding. Members are Debbie Vesely, Mindy Lee, Jennie Harner and Marilyn Myers.

The final December concert will be Dec. 22 when Jennie Harner, Lynn Lowell and John Glaze present Christmas music on flute, piano and organ.

March 16 will be the first concert of the new year. This will be an organ recital presented by Ethan Neal, of Cincinnati. Ethan Neal is a multi-faceted musician and award-winning singer, conductor, composer, pianist, and organist. He actively performs and teaches as a baritone, organist, and choral conductor across the United States. Ethan is dedicated to creating meaningful and inspiring music that brings joy and love to the communities he serves.

For something completely different, The Queen City Sisters, an a cappella trio from Cincinnati will present music of the '30s, '40s and '50s on April 6. This fun group was cancelled previously due to the pandemic and we are happy to finally present them to Hillsboro. They perform regularly on the Cincinnati Dinner Train to great acclaim!

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 our website: www.masmhillsboro.weebly.com.