Drew Fennell believes a church is perfect for the expression of something as wondrous and inspiring as music.
That also includes a secular repertoire, says the Natrona Heights resident, who is again directing the fourth annual Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Summer Concert Series in Freeport. The church is at Buffalo and Fifth Streets.
Fennell is principal solo flugelhorn and associate conductor of the River City Brass Band, and is music director of the River City Youth Brass Band.
In addition, he is a member of the new brass ensemble, the River City 6, comprising six virtuoso musicians of the River City Brass Band, who open the Trinity series at 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, with a free-will offering.
It is a special preview of their Pittsburgh premiere at Upper St. Clair Theater on June 26.
"I think the strength of the RC6 is its ability to entertain with a very wide variety of music styles," says Fennell.
The Trinity series will continue with the Ferla-Marcinizyn guitar duo at 6 p.m. July 8, performing guitar music from throughout the ages, including Renaissance music, some from the Spanish tradition and some contemporary jazz.
It concludes with the Renaissance City Winds at 6 p.m. July 22, a woodwind ensemble that has performed its classical program throughout the United States, including New York's Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
"The point of the Trinity series is to bring good, live music to the people. We want to make a music lover out of everyone who attends, to bring shows people would otherwise have to travel to Pittsburgh to see right into our own backyard," says Fennell.
The fact that a church is the concert hall adds special resonance, he believes. "A building constructed for the purpose of sending praise and prayer to God is usually a majestic space. So, both aesthetically and acoustically, a church is perfect for the expression of something as wondrous and inspiring as music. It seems to me that the music enhances the space and the space enhances the music," Fennell says.
Details on the series: 724-295-9557
