Brian Stevenson, the esteemed Director of Handbell Ministries at Pender United Methodist Church, brings a touch of celestial harmony to the holiday season with his exquisite harp performances. Stevenson, renowned for his musical prowess, transforms the harp strings into a cascade of festive melodies, enchanting audiences with his renditions.
His repertoire for the season is a delightful blend of classic and contemporary, featuring the joyful peals of “Ding Dong Merrily On High,” the celestial echoes of “Angels We Have Heard On High,” and the heartwarming strains of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” Each piece, under Stevenson’s skillful touch, becomes a vivid tapestry of sound, weaving the spirit of Christmas into every note.
The experience of listening to Stevenson play is akin to being enveloped in a serene, festive atmosphere, where each chord carries the essence of the season’s joy and peace. His performances are not just musical events; they are journeys through the heart of Christmas, leaving listeners mesmerized and uplifted.
For Pender’s offertory on August 6 2023 Brian Stevenson, Director of Music Ministries, played Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod version) on his harp. He was accompanied by Heidi Jacobs on the piano.
“Ave Maria” is a popular and much-recorded setting of the Latin prayer Ave Maria, originally published in 1853 as “Méditation sur le Premier Prélude de Piano de S. Bach”.
The piece consists of a melody by the French Romantic composer Charles Gounod that he superimposed over an only very slightly changed version of Johann Sebastien Bach’s Prelude No. 1 in C major, BWV 846, from Book I of his The Well-Tempered Clavier, 1722.
Brian Stevenson, Director of Music Ministries at Pender UMC in Fairfax, VA, performed Clair de lune from Debussy’s Suite bergamasque during Pender’s new Concert Series which began on April 23, 2022.
‘Clair de lune’, meaning moonlight, was written by the Impressionist French composer Claude Debussy. It is the third movement of a four-movement work, Suite bergamasque.Originally composed for piano in D♭ major, It is written in 9/8meter and marked andante très expressif.
‘Clair de lune’ takes its title from an atmospheric poem by the French poet Paul Verlaine which depicts the soul as somewhere full of music ‘in a minor key’ where birds are inspired to sing by the ‘sad and beautiful’ light of the moon.
The Pender Concert Supporting Ukraine on April 23 featured Liz Sellers on piano, Brian on harp, and local professional musicians, including woodwind quintet, drums, organ, guitar, flute, penny whistle, singing and violin.
Concert repertoire included: Harp arrangements by Debussy, Piano trio of Jazz/Baroque, Flute Concertino by Chaminade, Woodwind Quintet with music of Duke Ellington, The Widor Toccata Organ Symphony Movement V and an Irish session!
There was no charge for this concert but there was a free will offering taken to support Ukraine through Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. This fund provides direct assistance to those in Ukraine as well as assistance to Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries.
One hundred percent of all Advance contributions go to the designated cause. (The independent charity watchdog, “Charity Watch,” gives UMCOR an “A+” ranking, and includes the UM organization on a highly selective list of charities it recommends when considering how to support the Ukrainian people. Read more)
The United Methodist community in Ukraine, though quite small, is actively engaged in assisting neighbors in need. Global Ministries is in touch with the church’s leadership as well as with church leaders in countries welcoming those who are fleeing from violence in Ukraine.
Click this link and choose UMCOR to send direct aid. In the memo line, put Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery.
Liz Sellers, Pianist/Organist at Pender UMC in Fairfax, VA, and violinist Anthony Shieldsperformed Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 by Ludwig van Beethoven during Pender’s new Concert Series which began on April 23, 2022.
The Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24, is a four movement work for violin and piano by Ludwig van Beethoven. It was first published in 1801. The work is commonly known as the Spring Sonata (Frühlingssonate), although the name “Spring” was apparently given to it after Beethoven’s death.
Liz and Anthony played the first movement.
The Pender Concert Supporting Ukraine on April 23 featured Liz Sellers on piano, Brian on harp, and local professional musicians, including woodwind quintet, drums, organ, guitar, flute, penny whistle, singing and violin.
Concert repertoire included: Harp arrangements by Debussy, Piano trio of Jazz/Baroque, Flute Concertino by Chaminade, Woodwind Quintet with music of Duke Ellington, The Widor Toccata Organ Symphony Movement V and an Irish session!
There was no charge for this concert but there was a free will offering taken to support Ukraine through Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. This fund provides direct assistance to those in Ukraine as well as assistance to Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries.
One hundred percent of all Advance contributions go to the designated cause. (The independent charity watchdog, “Charity Watch,” gives UMCOR an “A+” ranking, and includes the UM organization on a highly selective list of charities it recommends when considering how to support the Ukrainian people. Read more)
The United Methodist community in Ukraine, though quite small, is actively engaged in assisting neighbors in need. Global Ministries is in touch with the church’s leadership as well as with church leaders in countries welcoming those who are fleeing from violence in Ukraine.
Click this link and choose UMCOR to send direct aid. In the memo line, put Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery.
Brian Stevenson, Director of Music Ministries at Pender UMC in Fairfax, VA,performed En bateau (Sailing) from The Petite Suite, L 65, by Claude Debussy on the harp during Pender’s new Concert Series which began on April 23, 2022.
Debussy’s music captures perfectly a mood of water-borne serenity and languor, opening with a kind of musical sigh that made the Petite Suite immediately popular with a wide audience.
The Pender Concert Supporting Ukraine on April 23 featured Liz Sellers on piano, Brian on harp, and local professional musicians, including woodwind quintet, drums, organ, guitar, flute, penny whistle, singing and violin.
Concert repertoire included: Harp arrangements by Debussy, Piano trio of Jazz/Baroque, Flute Concertino by Chaminade, Woodwind Quintet with music of Duke Ellington, The Widor Toccata Organ Symphony Movement V and an Irish session!
There was no charge for this concert but there was a free will offering taken to support Ukraine through Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery. This fund provides direct assistance to those in Ukraine as well as assistance to Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries.
One hundred percent of all Advance contributions go to the designated cause. (The independent charity watchdog, “Charity Watch,” gives UMCOR an “A+” ranking, and includes the UM organization on a highly selective list of charities it recommends when considering how to support the Ukrainian people. Read more)
The United Methodist community in Ukraine, though quite small, is actively engaged in assisting neighbors in need. Global Ministries is in touch with the church’s leadership as well as with church leaders in countries welcoming those who are fleeing from violence in Ukraine.
Click this link and choose UMCOR to send direct aid. In the memo line, put Advance #982450, UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery.
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