You’re invited to a special free event at 12 noon Friday, Dec. 4, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 305 S. Commerce St.

As a highlight of the Advent season — a period of several weeks when Christians prepare for the coming of the Christ child — two of Natchez’s most talented musicians will present a free, half-hour duo concert of classical organ and piano music.

The concert will be followed by a free light luncheon provided by the Trinity Episcopal Churchwomen.

Performing will be Trinity Church members Sandra Davis, pianist, and Brother Vincent Ignatius, OSB, organist, both highly educated and experienced musicians.

Their selections will be taken from a longer recital Mrs. Davis performed recently to a standing room-only audience at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Cashiers, N.C.

Performing as a duo, the musicians’ selections include “Sicilienne” by Gabriel Faure; “Prelude Fugue and Variation” by Cesar Franck; “Le Cygne” (“The Swan”) by Camille Saint-Saens; “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” (with “Moonlight Sonata” by Ludwig van Beethoven); and “Rhapsody” by Clifford Demarest.

For many years, both Mrs. Davis and Br. Vincent have been well known not only in Natchez but across the country for their musical acumen and talent.

As a young teen in Crockett, Texas, Mrs. Davis played the organ each week on her own radio program and won a Presidential Scholarship from Baylor University to study the pipe organ. After college, as an employee of the Hammond Organ Company in Chicago, she played concerts for organ dealers in cities across the United States and in Mexico City.

In addition, she worked for Houston Natural Gas, providing organ music for cooking shows conducted by comedian/chef Justin Wilson.

For most of her adult life, Mrs. Davis has played the organ for churches, including the Episcopal church in Cashiers, N.C., where she and her husband, Dr. Charles Davis, have a summer home. The concert she recently performed there resulted in a sought-after CD.

Mrs. Davis continues her study of the organ with Br. Vincent and often provides piano and organ music at the church.

Br. Vincent, who has been organist and director of music at Trinity Episcopal Church for nearly 25 years, is also Superior of the Community of St. Joseph, a Benedictine Religious Community in The Episcopal Church.

In addition to conducting the Choir for Men and Women at Trinity, Br. Vincent teaches private piano and organ lessons. Formerly he provided music at St. James Episcopal Church, Fairhope, Ala., St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Mobile, Ala., and The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Mobile, Ala.

He has presented recitals in Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and New York and has served as staff organist for summer training courses sponsored by the Royal School of Church Music in America.

A member of the Association of Anglican Musicians, Br. Vincent has served as Training Courses Chair on the Board of Directors for RSCM America and currently serves on the organizing committee of the St. Louis, Mo., RSCM Summer Training Course, which he helped found in 1998.

On Friday, both Mrs. Davis and Br. Vincent will pool their talents to provide you with beautiful music and special memories of the 2015 Advent season.

I hope to see you at Trinity Church!

 

Carolyn Vance Smith is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.