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The 54th Annual Religious Arts Festival

Music & Fine Arts

2025 Religious Arts Festival

Be Joyful in the Lord:

A Celebration of Smiles, Kindness and Community

January 31 - February 6, 2025

The 54th Annual Religious Arts Festival at IPC begins Friday, January 31 with events running through Thursday, February 6. “Be Joyful in the Lord: A Celebration of Smiles, Kindness, and Community” will feature Piffaro: the Renaissance Band, a multi-media concert about Smiles, lectures on humor and comedy in Art and application to daily life, and an evening of Improv at the Festival Banquet.


2025 Schedule

Sunday, February 1, 2026
4:00 pm
Sanctuary

Service of Choral Evensong
The IPC Choir, directed from the organ by Dr. Jeff McLelland, will sing beautiful service music by contemporary British composers Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, and the monumental work “Canterbury Te Deum” by Grayston Ives. Come worship with us as we rest in the Heart of God.

Dr. Martin Tel, Princeton University.
The sixteenth-century Swiss Reformer, John Calvin, is a foundational figure for Presbyterians. His establishment of congregational psalm singing had long been a hallmark of Reformed liturgy. Following an overview of Presbyterian psalm and hymn singing history, we will consider how the principles of the Genevan Psalter can continue to shape musical arts in contemporary Reformed traditions.

Thursday, February 5, 2026
6:00 pm
Great Hall

Program: Danse Rythmique, a solo guitar recital by Maya Lončar
The program will include works from Bach, Villa-Lobos, and Albeniz, and living composers including styles from Baroque, Spanish, Jazz, Romantic, and contemporary. Maya completed her studies at The Eastman School of Music and is an active teacher and advocate of music in Leesburg, Virginia.
Banquet cost: $25, Make reservations by Feb. 1

Friday, February 6, 2026
7:00 pm
Great Hall

The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players Barbara Krumdieck, director
Join the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players for “Embracing Winter,” a program of baroque music on period instruments that is sure to warm your heart during the cold winter months! The Chamber Players will be joined by soprano Kathryn Knauer for this concert featuring Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and “Agitata da due venti”, as well as favorite Bach arias. The instrumental ensemble will also bring Vivaldi’s “Winter” from the Four Seasons and a Concerto for violin by Telemann.

Sunday, February 8, 2026
4:00 pm
Sanctuary

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the death of Benjamin Britten, this concert will feature a lecture by Dr. Jeff McLelland on the life of Britten, with music performed by the IPC Choir and Camerata, accompanied by organist Derrick Meador. Music to include Jubilate Deo in C, Missa Brevis in D, and Rejoice in the Lamb.


Watch Online

Events held in the sanctuary will be available via livestream. 

Donate

If you are interested in helping to secure the future of the Religious Arts Festival at IPC, donate online to The Religious Arts Festival Endowment Fund. Please call the Music Office at (205) 933-3700 for further information.

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