From the beginning of history, humans have believed that music has the power to heal illness. In Greek mythology, Apollo appears every morning playing the lyre, bringing light, music, and healing to the world. Ancient Muslim doctors treated mental illness with music therapy. David, the singer of psalms, plays the harp sweetly, making King Saul feel better. And music is an integral part of the Christian faith. The gospel of Jesus, the Great Physician, brings peace and wellness to the soul and body.
Music at Memorial’s 2019-2020 season offers music to heal the soul. Music of power and grandeur; music of sweetness and beauty; music of meaning and inspiration.
I invite you to come, listen, and let your soul and body be refreshed and healed.
James Biery, Artistic Director
Tickets for each of the concerts are available in advance at the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church reception desk and online at eventgroove.com. Admission to each concert is $10 in advance; $15 at the door.
Ticket sales generate only a small portion of the funding needed to present these concerts. We urge you to consider becoming a subscriber to the series. Our generous donors make it possible to continue to bring outstanding musical performances to the community. Subscribers receive complimentary season tickets, reserved seating at all concerts (including The Christmas Story), recognition in each concert program and more. Please contact us for more information at 313.882.5330.
Lift your soul to the heavens with the fabulous Detroit Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet. DSO members Hunter Eberly, trumpet, Scott Strong, horn, David Binder, trombone, and Dennis Nulty, tuba are joined by MSU trumpet professor Justin Emerich. Combining forces with our world-class Klais pipe organ, they will thrill you with music of power and glory. This concert is made possible in part by a generous bequest from the Dahling family.
Music of the Classical Era (ca. 1730 – 1820) is tuneful and elegant. You will hear an organ concerto by “Papa” Haydn, some of Mozart’s most beautiful choral pieces, and Franz Schubert’s Mass in G. Schubert composed the piece when he was only 18 years old, yet it is astonishing in its beauty. The voices of the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church Choir combine with orchestra to fill your soul with healing peace.
Our annual Christmas Story concert includes a unique musical account of Jesus’ birth, presented in the beauty of the candlelit, decorated sanctuary. The program of seasonal music includes familiar carols sung by the choir and the audience. Together we praise the “heaven-born Prince of Peace…risen with healing in his wings.” As our gift to the community, this concert is presented without admission charge.
Memorial Church’s talented choir section leaders offer their annual afternoon of treats for the ears and the taste buds, featuring a selection of the hilarious P.D.Q. Bach Liebeslieder Polkas with Marilyn and James Biery at the piano.
In April 2016, the GPMC music department first presented “From Doubt to Faith,” an original liturgical music drama with words by Marilyn Biery and music by James Biery. The drama recounts the biblical story of Thomas the Twin and his turning from doubt to faith. The singer-actors bring the story to life, and the choir ethereally sings the words of the risen Christ. The piece ends with all of the cast – and the audience – singing a powerful statement of faith. We are pleased to present this piece again.
The 32 voices of Tom Trenney’s Sounding Light chorus were a hit when they performed on our 2017-18 series, so we are thrilled to welcome them again to close the season. The ensemble was formed in 2003 and is known for their inspiring and illuminating performances. The May program is called “The Light of Unity” and will develop themes of cooperation, unity, and community.
