The Summer Festival of Sacred Music at St. Bart's to Launch with Gay Composers Service 6/24

The Summer Festival of Sacred Music at St. Bart's will launch its 18th season on Sunday, June 24 at 11 am.  In recognition of New York City's observance of Gay Pride Sunday, this service of sacred music will feature works written by gay composers. 

St. Bartholomew's Choir will sing sacred music of Lou Harrison, David Conte and Benjamin Britten. Works will include Conte's "Infinity" from his Three Mystical Hymns, Britten's "Hymn to the Virgin," and Lou Harrison's "Mass to St. Anthony," a work composed in 1939 in response to the Nazi invasion of Poland. Scored for choir, strings and harp, it is a work encompassing emotions from outrage to hope. William K. Trafka will conduct the choir and orchestra.

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. Bart's, located at the corner of Park Avenue and 51st Street. Subway: 6 to 51st Street. For more information, call (212) 378-0222 or visit their website for the complete schedule.