We are excited to announce the 2024-2025 concert season here at St James the Less. During this 175th anniversary year, we will be bringing you a variety of styles of music by exceptional musicians as we celebrate our past and who the church is in the present. We'll be highlighting composers in our church's history, our friends at the Academy of Sacred Drama and the Brandenburg Concertos Gala return once again, we'll feature our 2016 Klais organ in a family-friendly Halloween concert and the Organ and Brass Fireworks concert, and a last hurrah before Lent with a Jazz Mass with Ike Sturm. 

You are invited to join us for this fantastic year of events and to make a donation to support our concert series. You may make a donation at the link at the bottom of this email. We hope you'll join us!

Victoria Shields, Artistic Director, Concerts at St James

Moved to convert because of a miraculous sign, the Roman guard Adrian faces imperial persecution and death for embracing the Christian faith.  His wife desires to share in his suffering and strengthens his resolve.  The Academy's semi-staged production, accompanies by Baroque-style instruments, stars the young Brazilian countertenor Victor Bento. A Western Hemisphere premiere.

$40 for adults, $15 for children under 18

Ghouls, ghosts, and goblins descend upon St James in this program for all ages! Our own Victoria Shields, and Caitlyn Dowling of the Reformed Church of Bronxville join forces to play music that thrill and chill, with some surprises from Harry Potter! Come in costume as your favorite character and get a front row seat (especially kids!) for this fun program to get in the spirit of the season. Join us for our annual Halloween kids' party, haunted house, and jaunt through the cemetery afterwards!

Free-will offering

Join the Choir of St. James for the traditional Anglican service of Evensong as we remember the saints that have gone on before us.  The contemplative and uplifting service of Evensong is unique to the Anglican musical tradition. The choir sings prayers on behalf of the congregation so the congregation may meditate and pray in this intimate and rejuvinating service. Following will be a festive reception for all to gather and celebrate each other and those who have joined the company of angels. 

Free-will offering

Ring in the New Year with all six of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos led by former St James the Less Music Director, Matthew Lewis. This masterpiece, forgotten and unpublished for over 100 years, almost lost during WWII, and today's most popular Baroque work, will be performed by an all-professional orchestra on the eve of a promising new year. Returning once again this year is a dinner that includes champagne, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages in our festive setting at St James the Less.

$100 for adults, $25 for children 18 and under. Note: the number of tickets for children is limited.

Come hear the music, words, and stories that have defined the life at St James. Music will feature several composers who have been members or served at St. James the Less, including Cab Calloway, Marjorie DeLewis, and Harold Freidell.  Music will be interspersed with excerpts from historic sermons, including the sermon preached after Lincoln's assassination and Father George Kempsell's sermon following the controversial Holly Ball affair. Come experience a glimpse of St James' history.

Free-will offering

We are celebrating the hurrah before Lent with a jazz mass during the 10:30am service! Featuring composer, Ike Sturm and his ensemble, with combined forces of the Choir of St James and the vocal jazz ensemble, Sound Vocal Jazz directed by Jennifer Miceli. We will be presenting Ike Sturm's award-winning Jazz Mass from his CD titled Jazz Mass. Jazz Mass was named one of Downbeat Magazine's "Best Album of the Year" and has been performed across the US, Scandinavia, and Europe. Come join us for some fantastic music and a pancake reception following to celebrate!

Free-will offering

We end our 175th anniversary year with organ and brass fireworks! In this exciting end-of-year blast, organist Victoria Shields and her brass quintet will present music through the ages that inspire, uplift, and have you on the edge of your seats. This is a fantastic program to bring your family and friends. As always, a festive reception follows to celebrate St James the Less' 175th anniversary year. Join us!

$40 for adults, Free for children 18 and under

Angel: $5,000 and up

Benefactor: $2,500-$4,999

Sponsor: $1,000-$2499

Patron: $500-$999

Donor: $250-$499

Friend: any amount up to $249

Contributions at the Sponsor level and higher receive two tickets to the New Year's Eve Brandenburg Gala program!

Click the link below to contribute. Be sure to select "Concert Series at St James" in the drop-down menu!