St. Cecilia Guild announces music program for spring season, sets concert Jan. 29

The St. Cecilia Guild has announced its program for the second half of its 2016-17 music season, with all events to be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Lewes. The guild was established last year to bring to the city high-quality choral and instrumental music, and build partnerships with local audiences and arts organizations.

The Lewes Chamber Players will perform at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 29, with a classical program "From Bach to Modern," that will include three lyrical arias by Bach, sonatas by Biber and Ysaye, and Spanish fire in the Suite by Cassado. Renowned baritone Randall Scarlata will join the chamber players composed of violinist Sylvia Ahramjian, cellist Ovidiu Marinescu and T.J. Thomas, organist and music director at St. Peter's.

In a second concert set for 2 p.m., Sunday, March 5, the Trio Casals, composed of Ahramjian, Marinescu and Russian pianist Anna Kislitsyna, will present a Russian Romantics program, bringing to Lewes the passion and romanticism of the great Russian composers Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky.

Other events for the season include:

At 7 p.m., Friday, March 17, there will be an organ recital by Zach Fritsch-Hemenway, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Yale University, and director of music at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia.

At 2 p.m., Sunday, April 30, the Lewes Chamber Players will be joined by a guest accordionist for a performance of musical selections that bridge European tradition with Argentinian tangos.

At 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 6, Capital Ringers, a handbell ensemble based in Dover, will perform its spring concert, Ringin' Rhythms, under the direction of founder and conductor Linda S. Simms.

At 7 p.m., Thursday, May 25, Jazz Vespers is set with professional musician Norman Freeman, who has performed with the New York Philharmonic and Barbra Streisand. Freeman will lead his jazz quartet for a service on Ascension Day.

The public is welcome to attend all events on a first-come, first-seated basis. Tickets are not sold, but freewill offerings are welcome.