Past Concerts

The Seven Last Words of Christ From The Cross

Paul Carr’s The Seven Last Words from the Cross is a profoundly-moving work, dramatically describing Christ’s last hours on earth, as sung from Him on the cross. This work features orchestra, choir, organ and harp, with a baritone soloist as the voice of Christ. This recording took place on Good Friday, April 15 2021, at St. George’s Church Church. Check our events page for upcoming performances.

Candlelight: A Service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas

Every First Sunday in December

Every year The Parish of Calvary-St. George’s presents Candlelight: A Service of Lessons & Carols. This celebration holds a special place in the hearts of thousands of New Yorkers. We gathered in singing our favorite carols, we heard powerful readings that revealed the true meaning of Christmas, and listened to glorious music led by our choir and orchestra, under the direction of Kamel Boutros, music director of Calvary-St. George’s. Watch the complete 2024 concert at the link above.

A Celebration of the Life and Work of Harry T. Burleigh
Sunday September 12, 2022

In September of 2022 we celebrated the life and work of Harry T. Burleigh in a historic event. 16th Street was co-named Harry T. Burleigh Place in honor of the African-American composer and soloist who introduced the world to spirituals and plantation songs. Burleigh was the choral director and soloist at St. George’s Church for 50 years, from 1894-1944.

The street co-naming was followed by a concert of his music in the church where we sang for over 50 years. The spirituals Burleigh sang were not show tunes, they were prayers, expressing humanities cry for light in its darkness. Prayers to the God who hears the cries of his people and always delivers. And as St. Augustine once said, “he who sings prays twice.”

Today we remember Burleigh, and we remember that he has taught us to sing in our suffering, and that in song--which is actually rooted in prayer--adversity can be engaged, tyranny brought down and ultimately deliverance given to the people.

We rejoice that this ministry of music to the souls of so many people could have been carried on in part here at St. George’s. As a parish, and as a community, we join with all of you expressing our appreciation and affection.