Dear Christ Church Community,

There have been wonderful renewals in the Christ Church music program over the past year, including starting up a Children’s Choir, expanding our cross-parish collaborations, and bringing back special music programs.

With that in mind, the Wardens and staff of Christ Church have developed “Christ Church Presents: Music in the Valley,” an umbrella for these, and other music programs which encapsulates our mission to bring church and community music to our beautiful campus. We hope you will mark your calendar for our upcoming Spring events!

With gratitude,
Lauren Wittine, Music Director

Upcoming Recitals and Programs

Bell Tower Recital and St. Valentine’s Community Dinner - Thursday, February 12 at 5:45pm

Celebrate love in all its forms with a bell tower concert followed by a delicious community dinner.
Dedicate a song: Honor a special someone with a song request during the concert for a $30 donation to Music in the Valley. Limited availability. Contact lauren@ccpvw.org.

Choral Evensong at St. Mark’s Palo Alto - Sunday, February 22 at 5:00pm

The Evensong Choir presents a beautiful Choral Evensong at St. Mark’s Palo Alto. This service will center Black composers in acknowledgement of black history month.

If Music Be the Food of Love: A Shakespeare Recital - Friday, February 27 at 7:00pm

Christ Church’s own countertenor Von Bringhurst joins guitarist Ashley Serrano presenting the music of Shakespeare. The texts will be considered both as they were in the Bard’s time, and as musicians have interpreted them since, with settings by favorite composers such as Haydn, Shubert, and Sondheim. Reception to follow.

A Taizé Service - Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00pm

An hour-long service of contemplative music and prayer, led by Rev. Lauren P. McCombs, Jocelyn Sideco, and pianist ____

Junior Bach Recital - Friday, March 13 at 5:00pm

Young performers from around the Bay Area demonstrate their talents on a variety of instruments to celebrate Bach’s birthday.

Loreto Aramendi, Organ Recital - Friday, April 10 at 7:00pm

International concertist and main organist of the Cavaillé-Coll organ (1863) of the Basilique of Santa María del Coro (Spain) comes to Christ Church. More details will be announced here soon!

Choral Evensong at Christ Church Portola Valley & Woodside - Sunday, April 26 at 5:00pm

The Evensong Choir once again combines forces for a beautiful evening of prayer and music. This Evensong, centered in Eastertide, will be a joyous celebration of the resurrection.

Ascension Day at Stanford Memorial Church - Thursday, May 14 (time TBD)

We celebrate our communion with the Lutheran church via a Eucharist service at Stanford. Other Episcopal and Lutheran churches join our Evensong cohort at this yearly service, resulting in a powerful 60-person choir backed by the amazing Murray-Harris organ of Mem-Chu.