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Summer Concerts at Historic St. John’s Episcopal Church; Next Concert Scheduled for July 7

June 30, 2013. Built during the Civil War, St. John’s, with its distinctive white clapboard and shingle siding and green metal roof, is one of the most notable and highly photographed locations in Valle Crucis. A summer mission of Church of the Holy Cross, St. John’s offers Sunday services in the mountain tradition, Memorial Day through Labor Day at 9 a.m. and features concerts on the first Sunday evening of each of those months at 5 p.m.

imgres-2This charming wooden structure is acoustically superior, making it an ideal setting for music. Following each concert, attendees gather on the lawn for a shared picnic and an opportunity to meet and chat with our guest musicians. Traditionally, cost for the concerts has been $10 for adults and children under 10 were free. However, for the 2013 season, thanks to a generous benefactor, the concerts are free for all.

The 2013 season kicked off with the annual presentation of “Singin’ in the Valle,” by the vocal and hand bell choirs of the Church of the Holy Cross and also featured the talents of several of its members as well. All who attended joined in to sing familiar mountain gospel hymns. 

The July 7 concert will find award-winning North Carolina native singer-songwriter Jeanne Jolly, taking time from her current national tour to grace the stage with her distinctive lyrical voice. Out of her classical training and folk sensibility, Jeanne has developed her own style and phrasing that is pleasing audiences everywhere. Her newly released album, “Angels,” debuted in the top 15 on the iTunes Singer Songwriter Chart. 

The New River Brass Ensemble, a quartet of faculty members of the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University School of Brass Studies will take the audience on a musical journey on Aug 4, through four centuries of the classics like Bach, Gabrieli and Ewald, to Gershwin, Ellington and on to the era of the Beatles. 

Performances at ASU at at schools throughout the Western North Carolina region are designed to promote the importance of music to today’s young people. Later this year, they will perform a Cathedral Concert in Columbus, Ohio, with special guest Dr. Joby Bell. 

On Sept 1, the final concert of the season, can now be called a tradition at St. John’s, with the third appearance of the principal choir from Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, SC. The 12 voice ensemble, singing glorious selections a cappella, display incredible range and control. For the last two seasons, this amazing group of voices, led by Cannon Organist and Choirmaster of the Cathedral Jared Johnson, has enthralled a packed house and will no doubt do it again this year. 

These are concerts that are surely not to be missed.