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The Saint Cecilia Society of St. Mark's Lutheran Church The St. Cecilia Society was founded in 1988 to support music appreciation and performance. Concerts feature fine musicians not only from our local region, but internationally recognized artists as well. All concerts are in the sanctuary of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Parking in the church parking lot on the corner of St. Paul and 20th Streets is provided free of charge. Directions to St. Mark's 
Sunday, 15 November 2009, at 2:00 p.m. -- James Harp, Cantor of St. Mark's Church, will accompany the 1926 silent film tear-jerker "La Bohème," starring legendary screen actress Lillian Gish as Mimi in this work based on the Puccini Opera with matinee idol John Gilbert in the role of the poet Rodolfo. Directed by King Vidor, the film evokes bohemian Paris in the 1830s with a cast that includes Renée Adorée as Musetta and Edward Everett Horton as the philosopher, Colline. 
Sunday, 20 December 2009, at 4:00 p.m. -- The Choir of St. Mark's Church, accompanied by organ and chamber orchestra, will present Johann Sebastian Bach's Advent Cantata Schwingt freudig euch empor (BWV 36), augmented by performances of Advent Chorales and Choruses from other Bach Cantatas. This musical offering will be included in the Lutheran service of Evening Prayer. 
Sunday, 21 March 2010 at 2:00 p.m.
-- James Harp, Cantor of St. Mark's Church, will accompany the 1927 classic silent film "King of Kings." Directed by the incomparable Cecil B. DeMille--working with one of the biggest budgets in Hollywood history--this film is considered by many to be his masterpiece. DeMille was trying to tell the story as influenced by great works of religious art, and the film is full of opulent visuals describing the Life, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, as well as the redemption of Mary Magdalene.  Sunday, 18 April 2010 at 2:00 p.m. -- Peter Lavagnino will present a recital of works for the piano spanning three centuries. A most talented young man of 16, Peter is rapidly gaining a reputation in the region around Baltimore as one of our most promising young musicians. A student at Loyola Blakefield High School, he is a piano student of Harold Stern. 
Sunday, 16 May 2010, at 2:00 p.m.
-- Nicholas Houhoulis, tenor, will present a recital of arias and art songs. Reflecting his Greek heritage, his program will feature works by contemporary Greek composers as well as traditional folk and liturgical music. Well-known in the Baltimore area for his performances with the Young Victorian Theatre Company and The Maryland Opera Studio, Mr. Houhoulis is also tenor soloist in the Choir of St. Mark's Church. Please note that the Sunday afternoon concerts are free but  donations are accepted at the door to defray expenses.
James Harp, Cantor of St. Mark's Church, is the Artistic Director of the St. Cecilia Society. Free parking is provided in the church parking lot on the corner of St. Paul and 20th Streets. The 2008-09 concert schedule in review:
Sunday, 16 November 2008 -- James Harp, Cantor of St. Mark's Church, accompanied the 1915 silent film sizzler "A Fool There Was," starring the legendary screen temptress Theda Bara. This was the film that initiated Theda into the cult of vamp movies. The film, based on Kipling's "The Vampire," details the story of a moral man who falls from grace at the insidious hands of the unrepentant seductress. It was exciting to watch for the immortal subtitle: "Kiss me, you fool!"
Sunday, 21 December 2008 -- A Maryland Colonial Christmas. Chamber musicians from St. Mark's and their friends presented a program of instrumental Christmas and Holiday music that would have been heard in Colonial Maryland. Solos and ensembles were performed from various genres, including a work by Baltimore's own Alexander Reinagle.
Saturday, 21 March 2009 -- Peter Richard Conte, Organist Extraordinaire, was presented in recital. One of America's foremost organists, Mr. Conte is the Grand Court Organist of the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia, a position he has held since 1989. He is also the Choirmaster and Organist at St. Clement's Episcopal Church, also in Philadelphia. Mr. Conte celebrated the birthday of J. S. Bach by presenting some of his masterworks, and Mr. Conte concluded his recital with a selection of orchestral transcriptions for which he is rightly noted. This special recital was in continuing celebration of our new 2005 Patrick J. Murphy Organ.
Sunday, 19 April 2009 -- James Harp, Cantor of St. Mark's Church, accompanied the 1926 classic silent film "Ben Hur, A Tale of the Christ," based on the Lew Wallace novel. Starring Ramon Novarro in the title role and Baltimore native Francis X. Bushman as the Roman centurion Massala, the movie was the costliest silent film ever produced. This presentation was in our continuing tradition of presenting a silent film of a spiritual nature during the Lenten/Easter season.
Sunday, 10 May 2009 -- The Choir of St. Mark's Church, accompanied by organ and chamber orchestra, presented Georg Frideric Handel’s Laudate Pueri Dominum from the 1707 Carmelite Vespers. This beautiful and grand setting of Psalm 113, featuring the soloists in the choir, was included in the Lutheran Choral Service of Evening Prayer. The 2007-08 Concert Series in review
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