DECEMBER 2018




Calendar of Free* Classical Concerts in Jacksonville



*Listings of Jacksonville concerts advertised as FREE are compiled chiefly from online calendars. Listed concerts could be subject to change or cancellation, and additional concert listings might be added.  Most venue addresses are given at left.

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Online listing

day, December @ pm


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Online listing

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Saturday, December 1 @ 3pm
Sean Gaskell on the Kora Instrument

You're in for a treat as Sean Gaskell, a seasoned musician who plays in festivals in the U.S., Gambia and Senegal, performs on the kora, an ancient 21-stringed harp from West Africa. Enjoy traditional songs that are the heart and soul of the kora's repertoire and original compositions. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Jacksonville Public Library.
* JPL - Regency Square Branch Library (9900 Regency Square Blvd, 32225)
Online listing

Saturday, December 1 @ 3pm
Clarinet Studio Recital

Dr. Sunshine Simmons, coordinator
* UNF - Recital Hall
Online listing

Saturday, December 1 @ 7pm
Sounds of the Season

The 20th Annual Joint Holiday Concert by The Don Thompson Chorale and the First Coast Wind Symphony, performing festive vocal and instrumental holiday favorites.
* Southside Baptist Church (1435 Atlantic Blvd.)
Online listing

Sunday, December 2 @ 3pm
NASA at 60

Celebrate the achievements of America’s space program through music. The concert will include video presentations of important NASA events set to music performed by the Wind Ensemble. The concert will open with Olympians, written expressly for the JU Wind Ensemble by composer Bill Boston, and will also feature the Concerto for Flute and Wind Ensemble by Thom Ritter George, with flutist Evan Brown. The guest speaker for the event will be Mr. George Haddad, an Aerospace Engineer at the NASA Kennedy Space Center.
* JU - Terry Concert Hall
Online listing

Sunday, December 2 @ 5pm
Christmas Concert

The concert will be a festival of Advent and Christmas music featuring the Choirs, Hand Bells and Soloists of Riverside Presbyterian Church, Mandarin Middle School Chorus and Bells of Angelwood.
* Riverside Presbyterian Church
Online listing

Sunday, December 2 @ 5pm
Procession of Advent Lessons and Carols

This annual service, sung by the Cathedral Choir, is a dramatic liturgy in music and movement throughout the Cathedral. This service is a wonderful way to begin the Advent Season and your personal preparation for Christmas.
* St. John's Episcopal Cathedral
Online listing

Sunday, December 2 @ 7pm
RareSong: Christmas on the First Coast

The seven musicians of RareSong have brought the music of its early European colonizers to the First Coast of Florida since 2015. When the Spanish, the French, and later the English left their courts to pursue empire here, they brought with them--at least in their memories--the music we present.
* St Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Online listing

Monday, December 3 @ 7:30pm
Jax Cello Quartet

A special benefit event featuring the Jax Cello Quartet--Alexei Romanenko, Kacey Clopton, Brian Magnus, and Betsy Federman, all members of the JSO! Don't miss an amazing evening of great music by everyone's favorite instrument--the 'cello! Guest cellists include Laurie Cassidy, Shannon Lockwood and Vernon Humbert.
Free, with goodwill offerings taken to benefit the church's music program.
* St. Paul's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
Online listing

Tuesday, December 4 @ 7pm
Heavenly Holidays - Singing with the Angels

Hosted by The Heritage Singers of Jacksonville
* First Christian Church (11924 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida 32223)
Online listing

Tuesday, December 4 @ 7:30pm
Baroque Postcards

Students from the piano accompanying class perform alongside voice and cello students in a program of Baroque favorites.
* JU - Terry Concert Hall
Online listing

Wednesday, December 5 @ 12noon
Christmas Improvisations featuring Andrew Clarke

* Riverside Presbyterian Church
Online listing

Thursday, December 6 @ 7:30pm
Colin Carr Bach Cello Suite Recital

Dr. Nick Curry, coordinator
* UNF - Recital Hall
Online listing

Friday, December 7 @ 11am & 7pm
RareSong Renaissance Music

Since 2014, the singers and players of RareSong have been immersing their audiences in the European background of the early days of Florida’s First Coast by means of their renditions of sophisticated madrigals, motets, fantasias, sea chanteys, dances, and more. Costuming, narration, and drama enhance the instrumental and vocal performances of Marcy Jean Brenner, Tony Cruz, Patricia DeWitt, Peter DeWitt, Barrie Mosher, Lucinda Mosher, & Lynne Radcliffe.
* Friday Musicale
Online listing

Friday, December 7 @ 7pm
Heavenly Holidays - Singing with the Angels

Hosted by The Heritage Singers of Jacksonville
* City Rescue Mission (426 McDuff Ave S)
Online listing

Friday, December 7 @ 7:30pm
JU Orchestra Holiday Concert

Ring in the holidays with an evening of seasonal music, from classical to pops! Always an audience favorite, this concert is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit! This year’s concert will feature Respighi’s beautiful Botticelli Triptych.
* JU - Terry Concert Hall
Online listing

Saturday, December 8 @ 2pm
24th Annual Tuba Christmas

More than 200 tubas join together to play some of your favorite holiday music. TubaChristmas is a music concert held in cities worldwide that celebrates those who play, teach, and compose music for instruments in the tuba family.
* The Jacksonville Landing (2 W Independent Drive, 32202)
Online listing

Saturday, December 8 @ 7:30pm
Make We Joy: Songs of the Season with the JU Choirs and Brass

A spirited program of seasonal songs from around the globe and across the centuries. A Jacksonville holiday tradition not to be missed!
* JU - Terry Concert Hall
Online listing

Sunday, December 9 @ 8:30am & 11am
A Service of Lessons and Carols

A glorious Palms' tradition! Join us as we celebrate the stories of Advent and Christmas in word and music. Featuring The Palms' Chancel Choir, Chancel Bells, CAMP and Children’s Choirs, vocalist Destiny Guerra, countertenor Matheus Coura and 26 members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra conducted by Palms' Director of Music & Fine Arts, Dr. Ronn Cummings. Invite your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers....this is an event unlike any other! Nursery is provided.
* Palms Presbyterian Church
Online listing

Sunday, December 9 @ 3pm
A Winter's Eve

The Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville presents a concert featuring music by Delius, Prokofiev, and Humperdinck. Also featured will be a collaboration with the Edward Waters College Concert Choir. This concert is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the concert.
* JU - Terry Concert Hall
Online listing

Sunday, December 9 @ 3pm
Intermezzo Sunday Concert with Percussionist Charlotte Mabrey

Charlotte Mabrey was honored as a "Gerson Yessin Professor" and a Distinguished Professor of Music at the University of North Florida, and was the principal percussionist of the Jacksonville Symphony for more than 20 years. She will be joined by Peter Wright (clarinet), Sarah Jane Young (flute), and Greg Hersey (percussion). Lots of fun pieces and fabulous musical mates. Bring the kids because drums and marimbas rule!
* JPL- Main Library Hicks Auditorium
Online listing

Sunday, December 9 @ 3pm
The Very Best Time of Year

Holiday concert by The Don Thompson Chorale under the direction of R. Hugh Patterson.
* Riverside Park United Methodist Church (819 Park St, 32204)
Online listing

Sunday, December 9 @ 4pm
Heavenly Holidays - Singing with the Angels

Hosted by The Heritage Singers of Jacksonville
* Woodlawn Presbyterian Church (3026 Woodlawn Rd, 32209)
Online listing

Sunday, December 9 @ 6pm
Make We Joy: Songs of the Season with the JU Choirs and Brass

Join the JU Choirs and Brass in a spirited program of seasonal songs from around the globe and across the centuries. A Jacksonville holiday tradition not to be missed!
* All Saints Episcopal Church
Online listing

Wednesday, December 12 @ 7:30pm
Cellist Yehuda Hanani in Concert

Distinguished cellist from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, Yehuda Hanani performs with JU faculty Shannon Lockwood (cello), Todd Lockwood (bass), and Scott Watkins (piano) in works by Rossini, Barrière, Bach and Prokofiev
* JU - Terry Concert Hall
Online listing

Friday, December 16 @ 3pm
Family Holiday Concert : Backtrack Vocals

Backtrack is an award-winning, five-person vocal group based in New York City that explores the power of the human voice through unique vocal arrangements, tight harmonies and world-class beatboxing. They infuse heart and humor into every performance and enhance their vocal-driven performances with guitar and vocal looping elements. Their repertoire includes covers of past and present pop music, original compositions and unexpected genres such as classical and electronic music.
* Friday Musicale
Online listing

Friday, December 16 @ 4pm
Beaches Fine Arts Series presents the Soweto Gospel Choir

Soweto Gospel Choir was formed to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music. The 43-strong choir, under the direction of Beverly Bryer, draws on the best talent from the many churches in and around Soweto. The choir is dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music with audiences around the world.
* St. Paul’s by-the-Sea
Online listing

Wednesday, December 19 @ 6pm
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Join us for this very meaningful celebration of the season: a lovely, candlelight service, led by our Choir and Choristers, featuring beautiful readings, carols, and other music that retell the wonderful Christmas story from Genesis through the Word made flesh and beyond.
* St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Online listing