ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH TO HOST EVENSONG SERVICE AS PART OF THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS’ PHOENIX RISING: REGION IX FESTIVAL

The Central Arizona Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) is presenting an Evensong service at Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley on Wednesday, June 24 at 8:00 PM.  This event is part of the week-long Phoenix Rising: AGO Region IX Festival 2009 []http://www.AGOinPhoenix.com] which marks the end of the 2008-2009 International Year of the Organ.  Service participants will include Brent Hylton, Organist, the Reverend Gregory Norton, Cantor;  The Sonoran Brass Quintet; and the All Saints’ Women’s Chant Choir.

Governor Janice Brewer says, “The Phoenix Rising: Region IX Festival is an exciting event for the whole family to enjoy, bringing together a variety of events and out of state performers for a special, one of a kind celebration of organ and choral music.”

Brent Hylton, Director of Music and Organist of Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, will also be performing a recital at 7:30 pm prior to the service on Ascension’s 4-manual, 34-rank Möller pipe organ.  This recital, with the Sonoran Brass Quintet, and the Evensong service are free and open to the public.

Brent Hylton, Organist-  Hylton studied at the Eastman School of Music and completed his Bachelor in Music in Organ Performance with teachers David Craighead and Russell Saunders.  Two years later, Brent completed his Master of Music in Organ Performance at Syracuse University, studying with Will Headlee.  While at Syracuse, he was appointed Organist and Choirmaster of Hendricks Chapel on the campus, and under his direction the Hendricks Chapel Choir toured annually throughout the United States and Europe.  Since his time at Syracuse University, Hylton has taught at Western Maryland College, Towson State University and the University of Western Ontario.  In the early 1980’s he left the academic world, and has since served as music director of churches in Baltimore, MD, Kalamazoo, MI, London, Ontario, and now Scottsdale, AZ.

The Rev. Gregory Norton is Minister of Music at Westwood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles where he leads a comprehensive program of choirs.  He is also Music Director of The Claremont Chorale, a community chorus based in Claremont, California.  He is active as a conductor, organist, singer and liturgist, and has served congregations in Colorado and California, including fifteen years as Minister of Music at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

The Sonoran Brass Quintet-  Acclaimed as an ensemble of the highest caliber, the Sonoran Brass Quintet has been captivating audiences for more than a decade.  The Sonoran Brass Quintet has collaborated in concert with the Phoenix Children’s Chorus and Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix and will be joining the Grammy-winning Phoenix Chorale (formerly known as the Phoenix Bach Choir) for their December concert series.  They are Artists in Residence at Central United Methodist Church in Phoenix, where they are featured regularly in concerts and recitals.

All Saints’ Women’s Chant Choir-  Scott Youngs, Director
The Women’s Chant Choir of All Saints’ Episcopal Church was formed in 1996.  This choir sings the bulk of the Evensong services at All Saints’, along with Eucharistic services, concerts, and special offerings throughout the community.  They currently have three CD’s, on in conjunction with Musica Dolce, an early music ensemble.  Their repertoire varies from chant to contemporary setting of texts to support worship.  Their pure unison sound creates a restful and contemplative atmosphere for services and ties us to the ancient sounds of the early Church.

Ascension Lutheran Church is located at 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane in Paradise Valley, ½ mile north of Lincoln Drive and ½ mile west of Scottsdale Road.

For more information, contact Dr. Mark Ramsey, Phoenix Rising Program Chair,
at (480)203-5430

Attachment: Brent Hylton.JPG (Downloaded 5 times)

Last edited on Wed Jun 17th, 2009 11:16 pm by ascluthch