Broadway Musical Sing-Along!
A standing-room only crowd packed the Fellowship Hall for a sing-along event featuring a variety of songs from favorite Broadway Musicals, including The Music Man, Annie, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Hello, Dolly, Hairspray, Once Upon a Mattress, West Side Story, Brigadoon, and so many more! The words to the songs were projected on a screen for all to follow along. Kate Corsaro, Laura Uhlig, and Margie Zarcone were featured soloists from the studio of Lisa Franklin. This event was part of Troy Night Out on Friday, January 29.
Isabelle Demers, Organ Concert
'Stunning' and 'breathtaking,' says La Presse of Montreal about Demers. She demonstrated this and more at a concert hosted by the Eastern New York Chapter of the American Guild of Organists on Friday, November 20, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. She played the Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, BWV 548 ("Wedge") by J.S. Bach, excerpts from her own transcription of the ballet, Romeo and Juliet, by Sergei Prokofiev, Fantasy on the Chorale "Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn" by Max Reger, excerpts from Variations on a French Noel by canadian composer Rachel Laurin, and Sonata on the 94th Psalm by Julius Reubke. All who attended were thrilled by Demers' performance, appreciated the video feed of the performance provided by John Buckley, and enjoyed a lovely reception following the concert, hosted by Gayle Hinsdale.
Victorian Stroll Jazz Concerts
Crowds of strollers poured into the sanctuary to catch some cool holiday jazz on Sunday, December 6, from 2-3:30 p.m. Performers included the Troy High School Jazz Ensemble (2:00 p.m.), the newly formed RPI Contemporary Jazz Ensemble (2:30 p.m.), and the RPI Repertory Jazz Orchestra (3:00 p.m.). Directed by Robert Button.
The Very Scariest Organ Music 2009
This 2nd annual 30-minute Troy Night Out concert featured organists David Vredenburg (organist, St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph, Rensselaer) and Maury A. Castro (pictured above, left). Music included Bach's famous Toccata and Fugue in d minor and Edvard Grieg's creepy Peer Gynt Suite No. 1. The concert was on Friday, October 30, 2009, at 6 p.m., with over 125 people in attendance!
Troy Music Day Camp 2009
The first annual Troy Music Day Camp, held from June 29-July 3, was an exciting success, with thirty eager children participating in the camp. The children enjoyed singing, reading music, dancing, field trips, guest musicians from the Albany and Schenectady symphonies, introductions to instruments and composers, and even a final performance on Friday, July 3, of patriotic music. Plans are already in the making for the second annual Troy Music Day Camp!
Black Gospel Benefit Concert 2009
On Friday, May 29, at 7:30 p.m., Men’s Choirs from around the capital district came together at First United to present the second annual benefit concert to support NEST (Neighbors Establishing Support in Troy). NEST provides a shuttle service for families to visit loved ones in prison at costs far below public transportation. First United’s Chancel Choir opened for the event. The over 150 attendees enjoyed a riveting concert, meaningful fellowship, and a rich dessert reception.
Art Exhibit: Works of Tracy Husson
Arbo Real and Three Big Skies: an exhibition of landscape oil paintings. Works exhibited by Tracy Husson, a recent graduate of Marlboro College in Vermont with a degree in Visual Art and Environmental Studies. Tracy is the daughter of First United members John and Jane Husson. Exhibit held on Friday, May 29, 2009, from 5-9 p.m. in the Rose Room, as a part of Troy Night Out.
Peter and the Wolf
 |
 |  |
On Friday, March 27, 2009, at 6 p.m., over 125 children and adults filled the sanctuary to listen to Maury A. Castro perform an organ transcription of Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved orchestral work, Peter and the Wolf. This piece, written in Moscow in 1936 in the span of just four days, tells the delightful story of a young boy who disobeys his grandfather’s wisdom and takes on a menacing wolf. A bird, cat and duck also engage the wolf, with varying degrees of success. Transcribed by Dr. Scott Schlesinger as a Ph.D. dissertation project at UCLA, the organ delivers this piece fantastically, able to imitate a wide variety of the orchestra’s colors. This was especially true on our recently-restored, three-manual, 52 rank organ at First United. The story was expertly told by Dan Rogers and accompanied by images from the Academy Award winning 2007 adaptation, Peter and the Wolf. This concert was given as a part of Troy Night Out. The concert was 30 minutes long, and was free with donations accepted.
Children's Choir Attends Festival in Eastern Massachusetts
On Saturday, March 21, 2009, the Children’s Choir attended a day-long Children’s Choir Festival sponsored by the Southeastern New England chapter of the Chorister’s Guild. In preparation for this event, the 90 children from around the northeast learned five anthems. Upon arrival, the children rehearsed together all day, and then performed the music at a service of worship in the mid-afternoon. In the course of the day, the children also enjoyed games, a delicious meal, introductions to handbells and chimes, and received t-shirts!
The Very Scariest Organ Music 2008
As part of Troy Night Out on Friday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m., a large crowd of eager listeners (many costumed) enjoyed a 20-minute organ concert of some very spooky organ music. Maury A. Castro, organist at First United, played Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in d minor and Marcel Dupré’s Cortège et Litanie. Robert Richter, Organ Fellow at All Saints Episcopal Cathedral in Albany, finished out the program with Boëllmann’s thrilling Toccata from Suite Gothique. A fun event for kids and adults!
For more information on any of the above events, contact Minister of Music, Maury A. Castro, at:
Music Ministries Office
518.272.2771 ext. 14
email me
