The sounds of lutes, organs, brass, bagpipes, steel drums and all manner of choral ensembles will fill the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland again this year when the parish hosts its annual Cathedral Music Series.
Now in its 42nd year, the series provides free public concerts by some of the top musicians in the region and around the country.
“The hallmark of the series is the three services of lessons and carols,” said Daniel Sansone, music director.
Most of the concerts are free, but the cathedral accepts free will offerings to help offset the costs.
“We also solicit private and corporate sponsorships,” he said.
For more information, call 410-464-4020.
This year’s performances:
Sept. 21 – 5:30 p.m. – Ronn McFarlane, lutenist, will perform and give a lecture about the lute.
Oct. 12 – 5:30 p.m. – Solemn Choral Vespers; Cathedral Choir performs works including Magnificat (Collegium Regale) and the Te Deum (Collegium Regale) by Herbert Howells.
October 26- 5:30 p.m. – Mr. Sansone will perform an organ recital featuring works by Edward Elgar, Bach and Flor Peeters.
Nov. 23 – 5:30 p.m. – Jonathan Moyer will present the final organ recital in a series of four performances featuring the entire organ works of Olivier Messiaen.
Nov. 30 – 5:30 p.m. – A Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent featuring the St. Stephen’s Choir of Men and Boys will be offered.
Dec. 2 – 7:30 p.m. – The International Women’s Brass Conference, Maryland Chapter, presents its 5th annual holiday brass concert. The Emmanuel Lutheran Church Choir and the Towson Methodist Choir will be joined by Bagpiper Jean Gould, as well as the Steel Drum Band from Catonsville High School. For tickets, call 410-337-7539.
Dec. 7 – 5:30 p.m. – Canticle Singers will perform a varied program of choral music from throughout the ages. For tickets call 410-592-6059.
Dec. 11 – 7:30 p.m. – The Christmas Festival at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore will be offered. This festive concert will benefit the Jenkins Senior Living Community. Concert Artists of Baltimore will be joined by the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Ed Polochick. For tickets, call 410-252-4005 x115.
Dec. 21 – 5:30 p.m.- A Festival of Lessons and Carols for Christmas, sung in a candlelight setting by the combined Cathedral Choirs.
Jan. 25 – 5:30 p.m. – U.S. Naval Academy Band performs a program of festive music.
March 1 – 6:30 p.m. – The choir of St. John’s Church Huntingdon under the direction of Mr. Thomas Hetrick will perform works celebrating the Season of Lent.
March 22 – 5:30 p.m. – The Cathedral Choir will perform the requiem by English composer Herbert Howells and other Lenten works.
April 26 – 5:30 p.m. – The Cathedral Choir will sing Solemn Choral vespers. Featured works will include the Magnificat and the Nunc Dimittis from The Short Service by Thomas Weekles.
May 4 – 5:30 p.m. – Suspicious Cheese Lords, a male a cappella ensemble, will perform music from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.