MUSIC CLUB BRINGS TOP TALENTS MONTHLY

A s it enters its 88th year, the Fredericksburg Music Club is preparing eight monthly concerts for Texas Hill Country area residents that will range from classical piano, organ and string music to more contemporary vocal and brass performances, Mark Eckhardt, FMC president, has announced.

FMC concerts are free, thanks to grants and private and corporate donations.

The Fredericksburg Music Club’s goals since the non-profit organization was founded in 1937 have been to provide the area with quality musical programs, to support music education and to make a gift of music available to everyone.

Beginning at 3 p.m. the third Sunday of each month in the sanctuary of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, 1800 N. Llano St., the 2024-2025 season’s programs will run from September through May.

Clayton Stephenson Classical Pianist, Sept. 15

An American musician, Stephenson was the first Black finalist at the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He was also named a 2022 Gilmore Young Artist, as well as a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. Stephenson will appear here by arrangement with The Cliburn.

TAKE3 Strings and Keyboard, Oct. 20

With a flair for the “wild and unexpected,” Take3 offers a rigorous classical music background and infuses it with rock-star charisma. The trio’s repertoire has expanded from classical Bach and Beethoven to Bieber and The Beach Boys, while its members are also committed to outreach programs for children of all ages.

Rob Landes Pianist, Nov. 17

From Houston where he is the organist and artist-inresidence for St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Rob Landes has played with psychedelic rockers and taught at TUT’s Humphrey’s School of Musical Theater, while his long-running jazz trio has entertained the city’s high society circuit for years.

Nathaniel Mayfield Trumpet, Jan. 19

An international baroque trumpet soloist, Nathaniel Mayfield of Austin has presented master classes at such institutions as The Julliard School and the Eastman School of music. He performs regularly with the Austin Symphony, Austin Lyric Opera and the Austin Chorus.

Sabrina Adrian Organist, Feb. 16

With four degrees in music, including a DMA from the University of Texas, Sabrina Adrian has played organs throughout Europe, including St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in Rome, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church in Dublin, St. Michael’s Church in Budapest and the Marienkirche in Berlin. She is the organist at First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville where she also teaches 27 piano students.

Albert and Gage Singer-Songwriters, March 16

The folk rock and soulful musical journey of Chris Gage and Christine Albert has taken the Austin duo through various genres from country to folk and blues to French chansons during their performances that include regular evening appearances at numerous Austin venues.

Alias Brass April 13

Founded in 2013, Alias Brass is a collaboration of five artists and educators from across the U.S. whose performances are comprised of standards and original compositions along with concepts that blend virtuosic musicianship with entertainment ranging from baroque and classical to jazz and pop.

The Moanin’ Frogs May 18

This group, which features six saxophones, from soprano to bass, is unique to today’s music landscape in offering “an electrifying approach” to chamber music. Conservatorytrained and entertainment-minded, The Moanin’ Frogs’ repertoire ranges from classical to ragtime, jazz and pop.