Christ Church 6th Annual Music Fest

            Some of the best local music can be found in an unlikely
venue: Christ Church of Plymouth. Over the last few years, a series of concerts
has highlighted outstanding regional talent from a variety of musical genres,
including Broadway, popular, classical and choral.

            That tradition continues with the Christ Church Music
Fest on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. The 6th annual music festival will
feature the engrossing sounds of the Mayflower Camerata, performing Renaissance
selections and works by Brahams, Cadeac and LeJeaune. This vocal ensemble is directed
by J. Fred Thornton, formerly director of the Mayflower Chorale and Chamber
Orchestra.

            Also appearing will be the Contemporary Christian group
His Song and the Nichols Middle School String Ensemble. The concert will
include solo performances by Steven Cervantes, Mia Galvam, Eri Takahashi and
Julia Tripp, music scholarship winners at Christ Church, as well as popular
music by retired Bishop Bud Cederholm and Reverend Harry Birkenhead. The
Episcopal ministers will sing “Lean On Me” and “Sweet Caroline” with backup
from the Christ Church Adult and Youth Chancel Choirs and guests.

            Christ Church has been offering excellent concerts for
some time. Last year’s Music Fest featured 50 musicians performing songs of a
variety of different genres, including Irish and Broadway music, as well as a
music by the Christ Church Handbell Choir. Other concerts have ranged from
classical to Christmas and religious to folk music.

            “Our goal is to provide quality music for all of the
community to enjoy,” said Joe Dudzinski, Music Director at Christ Church
Parish. “We bring together the best local performers from our church and the
surrounding area for concerts that celebrate life and spirituality. Christ Church
Parish has a volunteer music ministry of 60 singers and instrumentalists that
uses its talents for worship services, concerts and community outreach. We’ve
been making music as a faith community for nearly 170 years!”

            It is no coincidence that the improvement in concerts at
Christ Church has coincided with the addition of Dudzinski as Music Director.
He brought a wealth of musical depth and experience to the parish. He is on the
staff of the Cape Cod Conservatory and has conducted choral groups for 20 years.
He previously taught piano, voice, chorus and vocal workshops at the Nantucket
School of Music.

Dudzinski
has his Master’s in Music from George Mason University and has studied with Dr.
Stan Engebretson, conductor of the National Philharmonic Chorus. He was awarded
the Melton Music Teaching Scholarship at George Mason University in recognition
of his experience as an educator on the elementary, secondary and adult levels,
and his proficiency in piano, organ and voice.

            Tickets for the Christ Church Music Fest are $10 in
advance and $15 at the door. All proceeds benefit Christ Church’s Music Program.
Future concerts at Christ Church include Evensong For All Saints on Sunday,
Nov. 3, at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m., and “Godspell” on Saturday, Dec. 7,
at 5 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 508-746-4959 or go
to www.christchurchplymouthmusic.org.

            Christ
Church is an Episcopal church in the Diocese of Massachusetts. Founded in 1844,
Christ Church Parish is open to all people for prayer, worship and celebration
of the Christian faith through the promotion of justice, peace, healing and
love.

            Located
at 149 Court St. in Plymouth, Christ Church offers an informal service with
contemporary music on Saturdays at 5 p.m. On Sundays, Rite I is celebrated at 8
a.m. and Rite II with music is held at 10 a.m. Church school classes begin at
9:30 a.m. Family Sunday is the first Sunday of each month September through
May. Rector is The Reverend David Fredrickson and Deacon is The Reverend Helen
Trainor.

            For
more information, contact Christ Church Parish at 508-746-4959 or
office@christchurchplymouth.org, or go to the website: www.christchurch-plymouth.org.