ST. PAUL'S CHURCH KICKS OFF CONCERT SERIES TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PIPE ORGAN

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http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2011/092011/09082011/650417

Church concert to feature pianist and cellist
BY ROBYN SIDERSKY
Date published: 9/8/2011

BY ROBYN SIDERSKY

After renovating a historic pipe organ, parishioners at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in King George had just one minor note left: how to pay for it.

So the church launched a concert series as a fundraiser for the pipe organ fund.

It seemed like the best and most fun way to raise money, said Jeannine Richardson, the church's organist and choirmaster.

This Saturday, Michael Konieczny, a pianist, and Sgt. Frank McKinster, a cellist, will perform at the church.

Konieczny, 21, is a senior at Dartmouth College. Richardson said he's performed in several recitals for the church and agreed to help out.

The young pianist has won several awards for his music, including first prize at the Old Dominion classical music competition; Mary Smart piano competition; Rappahannock Society scholarship competition; and Fredericksburg Festival of the Arts Young Artists competition.

He will play a variety of selections, including music of the Baroque and Classical eras, and the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

McKinster is a cellist with the U.S. Air Force Strings at the joint base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington.

He has been with the Air Force since 1997, and has extensive performance experience all over the country.

He has also won several military awards.

McKinster will join Konieczny in playing the Shostakovich Cello Sonata, Op. 40.

Richardson said many of the works of Dmitri Shos-takovich are extremely difficult to play--and for a reason.

She noted that the Russian composer heard that Russian dictator Joseph Stalin wanted to play his music--and Shostakovich didn't want that to happen.

It worked--Stalin never attempted to play it.

In addition to Saturday's concert, there will be another at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9.

It will feature Amanda Cullin, who recently graduated from George Mason University.

She will sing a variety of music, from operatic selections to lighter, more popular tunes, Richardson said.

Both concerts will appeal to all ages, even children.

"I think it's going to be varied enough so that they should enjoy it and not get too squirmish," Richardson said.

Robyn Sidersky 540/374-5413
Email: rsidersky@freelancestar.com


What: Duo Piano and Cello Virtuosos

Where: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 5486 St. Paul's Road, King George County
When: Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. Cost: Free Info: stpaulskgva.org

Eric
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