Summer Fest of Sacred Music at St. Bartholomew Continues With 175th Anniversary

The Summer Festival of Sacred Music at St. Bartholomew's continues with a service celebrating the 175th anniversary of the founding of St. Bartholomew's parish on Sunday, July 25 at 11 am.

Founded in 1835, St. Bartholomew's Church has become known the world over for its vibrant ministries in preaching, teaching and social services. Its renowned music program has had luminaries such as Leopold Stokowski, Harold Friedell and James Litton as the Director of Music. It boasts having the largest pipe organ in New York City, an instrument of 168 stops built by the Aeolian/Skinner Organ Company. Its present building, a Byzantine-Romanesque edifice designed by Bertram Goodhue and erected in 1918, is an architectural jewel and a grand presence on Park Ave.

For the service, St. Bartholomew's Choir, a fully professional choir, will sing works by St. Bartholomew's composers from the past and present. Works will include Leopold Stokowski's Benedicite, omnia opera, Harold Friedell's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, and the premiere of William Trafka's Preces and Responses, composed for the occasion. St. Bartholomew's Choir will be conducted by William Trafka. Christopher Creaghan will be the organist.

The Summer Festival of Sacred Music takes place each Sunday morning at 11 am at St. Bartholomew's Church during the summer months. At a time when most churches reduce their musical offerings, St. Bartholomew's Church provides outstanding sacred music sung by St. Bartholomew's Choir and Boy and Girl Choristers, two of New York City's most renowned choirs. Works include an array of mass settings from the 15th century to the present, embracing a diversity of cultures from around the world. The music is sung as part of the 11 am service, the liturgical context for which it was composed. All Summer Festival events are free and open to the public.

The Summer Festival of Sacred Music takes place at St. Bartholomew's Church at the corner of Park Avenue and 51st Street. Subway: 6 to 51st Street. For more information, call (212) 378-0222 or visit www.stbarts.org/sacredmusic.asp for the complete schedule.