DECEMBER 2017




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.

************* day, December @ pm


*

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Friday, December 1 @ 11am & 7:30pm
Holiday Cabaret

Sopranos Rebecca Shorstein and Monica Pasquini, also known as the duet act Rebonica, are thrilled to bring their signature cabaret "Christmas vs. Hannukah" to Florida this winter. The duo are known for their dynamic and innovative performances with symphony orchestras, cabaret venues, and private events across the United States and abroad.
* Friday Musicale

Friday, December 1 @ 7:30pm
Sounds of the Season

Join R. Hugh Patterson and the Don Thompson Chorale as they once again join Artie Clifton and the First Coast Wind Symphony for their 19th annual joint holiday concert. As always, the event is free and open to the public.
* Arlington Baptist Church (6009 Arlington Rd, 32211)

Friday, December 1 @ 7:30pm
The Cello Studio of Dr. Nick Curry presents Bach Cello Suites

* UNF - Recital Hall

Friday, December 1 @ 7pm
Heavenly Lights of December Nights

The Heritage Singers of Jacksonville offer a musical journey of nocturnal wonder, wandering under the stars, ultimately arriving at the perfect "Silent night, holy night!"
* City Rescue Mission (426 McDuff Ave S, 32254)

Saturday, December 2 @ 7:30pm
Guest Artist Recital: Kimberly Gelbwasser, soprano and Richard Van Dyke, piano

With Dr. Erin K. Bennett, piano & Dr. Krzysztof Biernacki, baritone
* UNF - Recital Hall

Sunday, December 3 @ 3pm
Intermezzo Concert Series presents The Florida Brass Quintet

Dr. Bill Prince, Kurt Zeigler, Susan McGee, Bob Gauger and Cliff Newton will present a program of holiday favorites.
* JPL - Main Library, Hicks Auditorium

Sunday, December 3 @ 3pm
Christmas Concert

Featuring the Choirs, Bells & Soloists of Riverside Presbyterian Church.
(Prices for Christmas Dinner and Children's Play following the concert: Adults: $10; Child: $5; Family: $25. Call the church office @ 355-4585 ext.10 for reservations and to purchase dinner tickets)
* Riverside Presbyterian Church

Sunday, December 3 @ 3pm
Music for War and Peace

As part of the JU semester theme “War and Peace”, the JU Wind Ensemble will present a program that explores this theme. Selections include Karel Husa’s Music for Prague 1968 – a programmatic work based on the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, Kurt Weill’s Das Berliner Requiem for three male voices and wind orchestra on poems by Bertolt Brecht, and Alfred Reed’s Rejoicing in the Beauty of Peace.
* JU - Terry Concert Hall

Sunday, December 3 @ 7pm
Handel's Messiah
--Free, but with SUGGESTED DONATION of $20
Featuring the Chamber Singers from the University of North Florida, a small, auditioned group of college students led by Dr. Cara Tasher, accompanied by the Lawson Ensemble.
* St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Tuesday, December 5 @ 7pm
Heavenly Lights of December Nights

The Heritage Singers of Jacksonville offer a musical journey of nocturnal wonder, wandering under the stars, ultimately arriving at the perfect "Silent night, holy night!"
* First Christian Church (11924 San Jose Blvd, 32223)

Wednesday, December 6 @ 12noon
Music at Noon

Featuring Andy Clarke performing piano & organ improvisations on Advent and Christmas music.
(Following the concert, a light lunch will be served in Bittinger Hall for $6. Call 355-4585 ext.10 to make a reservation for lunch.)
* Riverside Presbyterian Church

Friday, December 8 @ 7:30pm
Holiday Celebration with the Jacksonville University Orchestra
Ring in the holidays with an evening of seasonal music, from classical to pops! Featured this year is the powerful Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, by Ralph Vaughan-Williams. Always an audience favorite, this concert is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!
* JU - Terry Concert Hall

Saturday, December 9 @ 7pm
Heavenly Lights of December Nights

The Heritage Singers of Jacksonville offer a musical journey of nocturnal wonder, wandering under the stars, ultimately arriving at the perfect "Silent night, holy night!"
* South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church (2137 Hendricks Ave, 32207)

Saturday, December 9 @ 7:30pm
Make We Joy: Songs of the Season

A Jacksonville holiday tradition not to be missed! Featuring the JU Choirs and Brass in a spirited program of seasonal music from around the globe and audience carols.
* JU - Terry Concert Hall

Sunday, December 10 @ 3pm
First Annual Family Holiday Concert

Featuring the Don Thompson Chorale. Surprise for the kids! Wear your favorite ugly holiday sweater.
* Friday Musicale

Sunday, December 10 @ 3pm
Cradle Songs and Carols

The North Florida Women's Chorale, a 35 voice chorus of treble voices, will sing lullabies of many cultures as well as favorite carols of the season, including "The Moon in Wintertime", "The Seal Lullaby" and Arnesen's "Cradle Hymn".
* Community Presbyterian Church (150 Sherry Dr., Atlantic Beach 32233)

Sunday, December 10 @ 3pm
Jewish Composers and Themes

Presented by The Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville, an all volunteer 60 musician ensemble. A fun and festive concert featuring Leonard Bernstein's Westside Story Overture, Giacomo Meyerbeer's The Prophet, George Gershwin's An American in Paris, as well as the hauntingly beautiful Kol Nidre by Max Bruch featuring cellist Tim Stephen. Immediately after the concert, the audience is invited to a Kosher cake and punch reception.
Free [The facebook events page says to print a ticket from EVENTBRITE, but there's a "SALES ENDED" message and nothing to print.]
* Jacksonville Jewish Center (3662 Crown Point Road, 32257)

Sunday, December 10 @ 6pm
Make We Joy: Songs of the Season

A Jacksonville holiday tradition not to be missed! Featuring the JU Choirs and Brass in a spirited program of seasonal music from around the globe and audience carols.
* All Saints Episcopal Church

Wednesday, December 13 @ 12noon
Lunch @ the Lounge

Bring a lunch and enjoy the sounds of local acoustic folk band, Meridian (Martha Hotz, Arnold Graham Smith and Al Poindexter) for a special holiday concert to celebrate the season!
* JPL - Main Library - The Lounge @ 303 N. (just inside the Laura St. entrance)

Wednesday, December 13 @ 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

Sunday, December 17 @ 5pm
Beaches Fine Arts Series

Danú, traditional Irish ensemble. Hailing from Counties Waterford, Cork, Dublin and Donegal in Ireland, Danú is one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles of today. The band formed in 1995 as part of Irelands delegation to Lorient Inter-Celtic Festival in Brittany, France (an annual event that is the biggest gathering of celtic nations in the world).
* St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church

NOVEMBER 2017




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.

************* day, November @ pm


*

*********************************************
Wednesday, November 1 @ 6:30pm & 8pm
Art Walk Community Concerts

MAYO CLINIC COMMUNITY CONCERT SERIES: Jacksonville Symphony, Deanna Tham conducting. This concert is free and does not require a ticket.
* Hemming Park Main Stage, Downtown (in front of City Hall)

Thursday, November 2 @ 7pm
Community Concert

MAYO CLINIC COMMUNITY CONCERT SERIES: Jacksonville Symphony, Deanna Tham conducting. This concert is free and does not require a ticket.
* The Bethel Church, 215 Bethel Baptist St. (32202)

Thursday, November 2 @ 7:30pm
JU Chamber Ensembles

Enjoy an evening of varied chamber music performed by our top student groups, including the Honors chamber ensembles.
* JU - Terry Concert Hall

Friday, November 3 @ 8pm
Community Concert at Seawalk Pavilion

MAYO CLINIC COMMUNITY CONCERT SERIES: Jacksonville Symphony, Deanna Tham conducting. This concert is free and does not require a ticket.
* Seawalk Pavilion, Beach Blvd. & Oceanfront S., Jacksonville Beach

Saturday, November 4 @ 7:30pm
Fine Arts Series Concert

Featuring The Charlestones, a professional male a cappella quartet based in Charleston, SC, make their Florida debut with The Charlestones Sing Everything, a concert of a cappella favorites spanning the genres of Renaissance, musical theatre, hymns, barbershop, jazz, country, and pop. Nursery provided.
* Palms Presbyterian Church

Sunday, November 5 @ 3pm
An American Musical Journey

Hosted by Orange Park Chorale; featuring works by Gershwin, Ellington & Copland; plus: "take a trip to Broadway."
* Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church

Sunday, November 5 @ 4pm
Maestro Hector Olivera Organ Concert

Since entering the Buenos Aires Conservatory as a child prodigy at age six, Maestro Hector Olivera has become one of the most sought after and revered international concert organists of the present time.
* Riverside Park United Methodist Church

Sunday, November 5 @ 5pm
Choral Evensong for the Feast of All Saints

One of our most beautiful liturgies, Evensong is a lovely, sung, evening service led by the choir in which we thank God for the day that has passed and ask for peace and protection during the night ahead. Join us as we celebrate all the saints in our lives – especially those that have passed away this year. Music of Brewer, Ebdon, Wood, Parry, and Walmisley. A nursery is available during the service.
* St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Sunday, November 5 @ 7pm
San Marco Chamber Music Society: Woodwind Showcase

Free concert showcasing the woodwinds of the orchestra. With Les Roettges, flute; Eric Olson, oboe; Ran Kampel, clarinet; Patrick Graham, bass clarinet; Conrad Cornelison, bassoon; and Kevin Reid, horn. Music of Ligeti, Janacek, and Rossini. Come, enjoy the music and then partake of our legendary post-concert receptions!
* St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church

Monday & Tuesday, November 6 & 7 @ 7pm
Two Evenings of Piano with R. Andrew Lee

Sponsored by the Chengzhong Focus Foundation, UNF School of Music and UNF Department of English.
* UNF - Recital Hall

Tuesday, November 7 @ 7:30pm
Weapon Of Peace

Throughout history the cello has emerged as a voice of peace in times of war. As part of Jacksonville University’s Confluence semester on War and Peace, cello students will present historical situations from Berlin to Baghdad and perform music that was played in times of conflict as an expression of peace.
* JU - Black Box Theatre (Phillips Fine Arts lower level)

Friday, November 10 @ 7:30pm
Beaches Fine Arts Series: Vienna Piano Trio

The Vienna Piano Trio today performs in the major concert halls worldwide. In North America, the group has appeared, among others, in New York City (Lincoln Center, Weill Recital Hall, Frick Collection) Washington (Kennedy Center, National Gallery, Library of Congress), in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, and Mexico City.)
This concert is being recorded for APM’s “Performance Today” on NPR.
* St. Paul's-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church

Saturday, November 11 @ 7:30pm
Percussion Ensemble

The JU Percussion Ensemble will be joined by Jonathan Singer, Xylophone Virtuoso. Join us for an evening of diverse works featuring music by classic and not-so-classic novelty ragtime composers and contemporary works for percussion ensemble.
* JU - Terry Concert Hall

Sunday, November 12 @ 3pm
Duo-Piano Concert

Featuring Alan Ragan & Rose Grace; Michael Dell & Andrew Clarke
* Riverside Presbyterian Church

Sunday, November 12 @ 6pm
ChoRuss Vocal Ensemble

Vocal quintet from St. Petersburg, Russia performing spiritual music of popular composers from the 19th, 20th century, including Dmitry Bortniansky, Sergei Rachmaninov, Peter Tchaikovsky & Pavel Chesnokov. This music is performed a Cappella.
* All Saints Episcopal Church

Friday, November 17 @ 11am & 7:30pm
Friday Musicale: Sara Sant'Ambrogio, cello.

Grammy Award-winning cellist Sara Sant'Ambrogio first leapt to international attention when she was a winner at the Eighth International Tchaikovsky Violoncello Competition in Moscow, Russia. She has performed thousands of concerts on six continents with major symphonies at the world’s major music centers and festivals including Aspen, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, the Konzert Huset in Stockholm, Marlboro, Mostly Mozart, Musikverein in Vienna, Ravinia, Orchard and Suntory Halls in Tokyo and Great Mountain Festival in Korea.
* Friday Musicale

Sunday, November 19 @ 3pm
Intermezzo Concert Series presents UNF Violin Studio of Dr. Simon Shiao

Dr. Simon Shiao, associate professor of violin for 15 years at the University of North Florida Shiao, will lead the UNF Violin Studio in a performance that includes works by Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Elgar and more.
* JPL - Main Library Hicks Auditorium

Monday, November 20 @ 7:30pm
The Cummer Family Foundation Chamber Music Series presents

Pianist Josu Okiñena
* UNF - Recital Hall

Monday, November 27 @ 7:30pm
Student Chamber Music

Dr. Erin K. Bennett, coordinator
* UNF - Recital Hall

Tuesday, November 28 @ 6:30pm
Alexei Romanenko performing Bach: 6 Suites for Solo Cello

* St. Paul's by the Sea Episcopal Church

Tuesday, November 28 @ 7:30pm
Honors Recitals

The Student Honors Recitals feature outstanding student musicians nominated by their professors in recognition of distinguished performance.
* JU - Terry Concert Hall

Wednesday, November 29 @ 7:30pm
Piano Play-Off: Bach Edition

Dr. Erin K. Bennett, coordinator
* UNF - Recital Hall

Thursday, November 30 @ 7:30pm
JU Chamber Ensembles

JU’s top chamber groups present an exciting concert of varied repertoire.
* JU - Terry Concert Hall