Hymns of Hope and Healing Virtual Concert

On Thursday evening June 11 at 7 PM, South Salem Presbyterian Church (New York) will present a virtual concert entitled, “Hymns of Hope and Healing” featuring Improvisations on 6 beloved hymns from the American hymnal performed on piano, organ, violin, mandolin and guitar. The event which will not have an audience will be webcast live on the Church Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/southsalempresbyterianchurch (@SouthSalemPresbyterianChurch).

Performing in Thursday’s virtual concert will be Mary Jane Newman, who is music director and organist at the Church, along with local resident and member Vincent Castellucci. Centrally located in the heart of the South Salem Hamlet, over the years the church, which at one time was also home to Jewish and Catholic services, has served as host for community meetings designed to bring the Town together. “While the current pandemic prevents us from doing so now, we thought that a virtual concert of hymns would be a nice way to express our desire to begin the healing process, “said Newman. “Hymns are a wonderful vehicle for solace and inspiration that relate beyond religious or racial lines,” she added.

Ms. Newman is an ordained Rabbi and serves as director of music at Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford and as a chaplain at Greenwich Hospital (CT).  An acclaimed pianist and organist, she has appeared as soloist and conductor with orchestras, chamber ensembles and vocal groups throughout Europe, the U.S. and Israel.  Castellucci has played at the SSPC with Mary Jane Newman for many years along with former pastor Dr. Chip Andrus. A former professional Southern Rock touring musician and artist, he has won over 50 awards including an ASCAP Scholarship for musical composition while at Syracuse University Crouse College Conservatory. Known as an innovative music industry tech executive, he also performs at local venues as a solo musician playing music from contemporary recording artists and his own original songs.

Questions or comments may be directed to office@southsalempc.com.

About The Sanctuary Series

Friends of Music at Holy Trinity, Inc. DBA The Sanctuary Series is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering the development in the community of an appreciation of the musical arts by procuring and producing, and by causing to be produced concerts, musical productions and entertainments, having taken part in activities having that end in view, and by supporting the presence of musical artists in residence. In furtherance of its mission The Sanctuary Series presents extraordinary keyboard performances to the heart of the Historic Hamlet of South Salem, hosted in the Sanctuary of the South Salem Presbyterian Church.