Saint Bridget Church Friends of Music
2020-2021 Concert Season
A Gift of Music to the Richmond Community; all concerts are free, though donations are gratefully accepted.
Contact Allen Bean (abean@saintbridgetchurch.org) for more information.
Saint Bridget Church Friends of Music will present three concerts for the 2020-2021 Season. Each will be live-streamed. Reservations will be made for seating in the church for each concert, according to the limitations outlined by law or any Executive Order in force at the time of the concert. Please check with the parish website or call Saint Bridget Church approximately one week before each concert to make a reservation to attend. For those in attendance, a video feed to the front of the church will allow them to view the performance.
Those attending a concert in-person should plan to arrive at 7:00 p.m. They can rest assured that the church will have been sanitized beforehand, and that all government and Catholic Diocese of Richmond protocols will be followed to protect those in attendance. Please consider the risk to your own health as you decide whether or not to attend the concert.
Vincent Dubois
Tuesday, April 16th at 7:30 p.m.
One of the three titular organists at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, Vincent Dubois is one of the finest concert organists in the world today. A graduate of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris where he earned First Prizes in Organ (Olivier Latry’s organ class), Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue and 20th-century composition; Dubois took the world’s stage in 2002 by winning two major organ competitions: the Recital Gold Medal at the Calgary International Organ Competition, and the Grand Prize at the International Competition of Toulouse, France.
More recently, in January 2016 after a comprehensive audition and competition for the available post, Mr. Dubois was appointed the newest of three titular organists of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, where he continues to serve along with the two other titular organists, Olivier Latry and Philippe Lefebvre. Prior to his appointment at Notre-Dame in Paris Mr. Dubois served as titular organist at Soissons Cathedral (2001-2014), and Saint-Brieuc Cathedral (1996-2001).
Mr. Dubois has performed in major concert venues throughout Europe, North America, Asia and the Pacific, including for numerous international music festivals. He has also appeared as guest soloist with many orchestras and ensembles, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Dallas Symphony, the Hong-Kong Philharmonic, the Orchestre Philharmonique of Radio France, the Orchestre National de France, the Orquesta Filharmonica del Gran Canaria, the Orchestre de Picardie, the Orchestre National de Lorraine, the Orchestre de Picardie, and the Orchestre de Bretagne. In 2017 he was a featured performer at the American Guild of Organists pedagogy conference held at the University of Kansas, and in 2018 he was a featured performer at The American Guild of Organists national convention in Kansas City, MO.
Mr. Dubois is featured in solo recital on several commercial recordings, including a CD of the organ music of Franz Liszt on the Vox Coelistis label; a CD recorded at St. Sulpice in Paris on the JAV label; and a CD recorded at St. Etienne de Caen featuring the complete Symphonie No. 3 of Louis Vierne and the Op. 7 Preludes and Fugues of Marcel Dupré on Radio France’s Tempéraments label. His performances have also been broadcast over Radio France, the O.R.F. Vienna, CBC Radio Canada, Australian Radio and American Public Media’s Pipedreams.
In addition to his extensive performing activities, Mr. Dubois holds the distinguished post of Director General of the Strasbourg National and Superior Conservatory of Music in France, and he also teaches organ at the Freiburg Musikhochschule in Germany. He has taught organ master classes at such prestigious institutions as Yale University, The Eastman School of Music, TheCurtis Institute of Music, Oberlin College, Baylor University, St. Paul University, Emory University, and the University of Michigan, where he served as Continuing Guest Artist for a two-year period (2014-2016).
Friday, May 14, 2021 at 7:30 P.M.
Daniel Sañez
*Reservations to Be Released Soon*
Organist Daniel Sañez, currently the Director of Music and Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond VA, was previously the Director of Music, organist, and Choirmaster for the Church of Saint Catherine of Siena in New York City, Associate Director of Music for the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and Assistant Director of Music at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown, D.C. He has concertized throughout the United States of America, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany.
Daniel is a graduate of Boston College where he studied organ and choral conducting; Daniel earned the Master of Music in Historical Performance at the prestigious Oberlin College Conservatory of Music where he studied organ, harpsichord, fortepiano, voice, and choral conducting. Daniel is a member of the New York City and Richmond Chapters of the American Guild of Organists, Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians, Organ Historical Society, Church Music Association of America, American Choral Directors Association, and National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
October 2, 2020
Robert McCormick
Watch Concert Live-stream
Described as “indomitable and immensely gifted” (Choir & Organ) and as “an artist of rare sensitivity and passion” (The Macon Telegraph), Robert McCormick is widely heralded by his colleagues and deeply admired for his creative and ethereal abilities in organ improvisation and commanding, eloquent performances of repertoire of all styles. He is the Organist and Choirmaster of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
January 29, 2021
Allen Bean
Watch Concert Live-stream
Allen has been Music Minister of Saint Bridget Church since 2005. He has led the Parish Girl & Boy Choirs in concerts at the Kennedy Center and at Lincoln Center, overseen the restoration of the church’s Steinway piano, and the completion of the Buzard, Opus 42 pipe organ. Before coming to Saint Bridget, Allen was Director of Music & Youth Ministry at Good Shepherd Episcopal in Richmond, and Organist & Choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal in Vero Beach, Florida. Allen holds degrees from the University of Tennessee and Yale University. He was a 1982-83 International Exchange Scholar to Manchester University, UK. He has held offices with the Richmond American Guild of Organists, the Leadership Program for Musicians, and been President of the Museum District Neighborhood Association, and Vice President of the Yale Club of Richmond.
2019-20 Concert Season
Allen Bean, Music Minister of Saint Bridget Church since 2005.
Before coming to Saint Bridget, Allen was Director of Music & Youth Ministry at Good Shepherd Episcopal in Richmond, and Organist & Choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal in Vero Beach, Florida. Allen holds degrees from the University of Tennessee and Yale University. He was a 1982-83 International Exchange Scholar to Manchester University, UK. He has held offices with the Richmond American Guild of Organists, the Leadership Program for Musicians, and been President of the Museum District Neighborhood Association, and Vice President of the Yale Club of Richmond.
The Chenault Duo
Exclusively performing works written for four hands, four feet, and one pipe organ console, duo organists Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault have commissioned, premiered, and recorded over sixty organ duets. For their renowned artistry they have indisputably earned “The World's Premiere Duo-Organ Team” title given by the Atlanta Journal & Constitution. The Chenault's duet career began in 1979 when Arthur Wills of England's Ely Cathedral composed “Toccata for Two” for them. The Chenaults subsequently commissioned duets, in a wide range of compositional styles, from over 25 U.S. and European composers, and have themselves arranged several pieces for organ duet.
Stephen Buzard
Stephen, John Paul’s son, is the first artist to return to our series. Choirmaster of the Episcopal Cathedral in Chicago, he is also a former assistant organist of Saint Thomas Church in New York City. His program will include a presentation of Marcel Dupre’s Stations of the Cross, which will be both a musical concert and an opportunity for listeners to take a Lenten Journey through music.
2018-19 Concert Season
Nathan Laube
Nathan Laube is considered to be one of the best organists of our time. Audiences, colleagues and the critics all praise him for his artistry. His technique stuns other organists. For the average listener, it’s a technique that brings music to life. Nathan’s accomplishments are impressive for so young a person. He is Assistant Professor of Organ at the Eastman School of Music (one of the most respected organ departments in the world). He was chosen to give the first concert on the newly restored organ of Kings College, Cambridge University. He has toured extensively throughout the world, including performances at Verizon Hall in Philadelphia, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. His CD Recording of Stephen Paulus’ Grand Concerto, with the Nashville Symphony received a Grammy Award for Best Classical Compendium. Nathan is represented by Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc, and this concert is co-sponsored by the Richmond Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
2017-18 Concert Season
Jacob Temple, Organist
Jacob D Temple is a Roman Catholic musician from Northern Virginia currently living in the Richmond area. He services assistant music minister at Saint Bridget Catholic Church and has previously held a post as Director of Music Ministries for several parishes in the Pittsburgh area. Mr. Temple earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Organ and Sacred Music as well as a Master of Music degree in Organ Performance, both from Duquesne University. While serving as graduate assistant and studying under Dr. Ann Lebounsky and Benjamin Cornelius-Bates, he was awarded the Jean Langlais Award for Excellence in Sacred Music. He also earned a liturgical music scholarship from the national Association of pastoral musicians and a colleague certification from the American Guild of Organists.
Isabelle Demers, Organist
With playing described as having “bracing virtuosity” (Chicago Classical Review), Isabelle Demers has enraptured listeners around the globe for her spell-binding performances. A native of Québec and a graduate of the Juilliard School, Ms. Demers is Organ Professor and Head of the Organ Program at Baylor University in Texas. She is in continual demand with numerous invitations to perform at conventions by the American Guild of Organists and the Royal Canadian College of Organists. In the summer of 2016 she was a featured recitalist at the AGO’s national convention in Houston and appeared in solo recitals in Canada, Germany, Great Britain, and China. Her critically acclaimed recordings on the Acis and the ProOrgano labels have been heralded as “expressive…profound and searching” (RSCM’s Church Music Quarterly) and they, along with her live performances, have been featured on American Public Media’s PipeDreams and BBC Radio 3.
Thomas Ospital, Organist
Thomas Ospital is Titulaire of the Grand Organ at St Eustache Church in Paris, and newly-appointed Organist in Residence at Maison de la Radio (Radio France Concert Hall), Thomas Ospital is a young artist who has quickly earned a place amongst the world’s finest concert organists. A laureate of several competitions, he was awarded First Prize at the 2009 International Competition of Organ in Saragossa, Spain, the Durufle-Prize and the Audience Prize at the 2012 International Chartres Competition. Mr. Ospital is equally at home performing as a solo recitalist or with choir or orchestra. He is also eager to perpetuate the art of improvisation in all of its forms, including the accompaniment of silent films. His performances have taken him throughout Europe, Russia and in North America. In 2012 he served for six months as Young Artist in Residence at the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis King of France in New Orleans, USA. Born in 1990, Thomas Ospital began his musical studies at the Conservatoire Maurice Ravel in Bayonne, France, completing his studies with Esteban Landart in 2008 (Mention Très bien à l’unanimité). From 2008 until 2015 he was a student at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris where he earned five First Place prizes in organ, improvisation, harmony, counterpoint and fugue. His teachers at the Paris Conservatoire included Olivier Latry, Michel Bouvard, Thierry Escaich, Philippe Lefebvre, László Fassang, Isabelle Duha, Pierre Pincemaille and Jean-François Zygel. Mr. Ospital currently serves as Titular Organist of the largest pipe organ in France; the Grand Organ at St. Eustache in Paris. He took up the post in 2015 when he succeeded Jean Guillou. Mr. Ospital is also the newly-appointed Organist in Residence at the Maison de la Radio (Radio France) where he presides over the new concert hall organ built by Grenzing.
Allen Bean, Organist
Allen has been Music Minister of Saint Bridget Church since 2005. He has led the Parish Girl & Boy Choirs in concerts at the Kennedy Center and at Lincoln Center, overseen the restoration of the church’s Steinway piano, and the completion of the Buzard, Opus 42 pipe organ. Before coming to Saint Bridget, Allen was Director of Music & Youth Ministry at Good Shepherd Episcopal in Richmond, and Organist & Choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal in Vero Beach, Florida. Allen holds degrees from the University of Tennessee and Yale University. He was a 1982-83 International Exchange Scholar to Manchester University, UK. He has held offices with the Richmond American Guild of Organists, the Leadership Program for Musicians, and been President of the Museum District Neighborhood Association, and Vice President of the Yale Club of Richmond.
Virelai Quartet: Marian Anthems & Monteverdi
A concert of works paying tribute to Mary, Mother of God, featuring motets by Victoria, Palestrina, and Poulenc, followed by a full performance of Monteverdi's Messa a quattro voci da capella. Virelai Quartet began as an idea for four friends, from diverse backgrounds, to get together and sing unaccompanied vocal music. As the group steadily worked toward a unified sound, they built a repertoire list including works from the most prominent composers of the Renaissance, from sacred motets to secular madrigals and chansons. What started as a pastime has become a focused mission to share vocal music with an ever-growing audience. The quartet is expanding its repertoire to include German Romantic works and accompanied chamber music of Bach and Mozart for future performances. These four singers are driven to explore and test the limits of what a vocal quartet can do with material spanning six centuries.
2016-17 Concert Season
Allen Bean, Organist
Our Music Minister gives a concert as a gift to the parish and the community. His program will show off the many colors of the John-Paul Buzard, Opus 42 pipe organ through the music of Bach, Buxtehude, Saint-Saens, and other great composers.
Chamber Choir Concert, William Buckley, Director. William Buckley, our Assistant Music Minister leads a concert of great sacred choral music.
Rachel Laurin, Organist. Rachel Laurin has been Associate Organist of St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, and Titular Organist at Notre Dame Cathedral, Ottawa. A highly regarded international performer, she is also highly regarded as a composer and improviser.
Mark Laubach, Organist: Mark Laubach holds degrees from Westminster Choir College and the Eastman School of Music of Rochester University. He was the winner of the First Prize in the American Guild of Organists 1984 Young Artists’ Competition. He has performed extensively in the United States and England, lectured at many conventions of the American Guild of Organists, and is respected as a superb liturgical musician.
2015 - 2016 Concert Season
Allen Bean, Organist
Our Music Minister gives a concert as a gift to the parish and the community. His program will show off the many colors of the John-Paul Buzard, Opus 42 pipe organ.
Daniel Stipe, Organist
Richmond’s own virtuoso organist gives a concert in support of the LPM program of Virginia.
Daniel Roth, Organist of St. Sulpice, Paris, and International Organ Concert Artist
This will be the first concert given on the Buzard, Opus 42 organ by a European organist. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to hear this great concert.
VCU Artistic Ambassodors to Colombia
This concert will feature a quintet of VCU brass students who will visit Colombia at the end of this academic year.
Hymn Festival led by The Saint Bridget Choirs
Find inspiration through singing along with, and hearing our Adult and Girl & Boy Choirs.
Russell Weismann, Organist
Russell is currently the Director of Music at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish in Bethesda, Maryland. His previous professional experience includes serving as Associate Director of Music at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Director of Music and Liturgy and Adjunct Professor of Sacred Music at Georgetown University, University Chapel Organist and Teaching Fellow at Yale University and Associate Music Director at Saint Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA.
Contact Allen Bean (abean@saintbridgetchurch.org) for more information.