Welcome to the 2023-2024 Spire Series Season
Welcome to the Spire Series! We are committed to building community through the presentation of extraordinary performance artists in one of Baltimore's most beautiful sacred spaces. The series features local, national, and international talent and includes both free and paid concerts.
You can find the 2023/2024 season below. If you'd like to be among the first to know about future seasons and special events, please consider becoming a Donor Subscriber. Besides being a valued donor, you will be helping to support great music in a great space along with educational opportunities for students.
Prorated Donor/Subscriber packages are available for the remainder of the 2023/2024 season and give you tickets to remaining Spire Series concerts, invitation to an annual VIP Donor Event, exclusive updates, and other opportunities. Single tickets for each concert are also available.
2023-2024 Spire Series Season
Sunday, Dec. 10 | 4:00pm Candlelight Choral Concert
The First & Franklin Sanctuary Choir, directed by Jason Kissel, will present their annual Candlelight Choral Concert. This yearly tradition celebrates the holiday season with choral music including Vivaldi's Gloria with Baroque ensemble and carols. We also welcome gifted harpist and friend of the choir Jacqueline Pollauf. Join us in the glow of the candlelight to revel in music, beauty, and the joy of Christmas.
No Tickets Required - Free Will Offering Will Be Accepted
Friday, Mar. 8 | 7:30pm Karen Slack, soprano
Mark Markham, piano
Hailed for possessing a voice of extraordinary beauty, a seamless legato and great dramatic depth, American soprano Karen Slack has garnered international renown for her artistic versatility, charisma and entrepreneurial endeavors. A recipient of the 2022 Sphinx Medal of Excellence, Slack is known for her dynamic and passionate performances in both lead operatic roles and on the concert stage; as a sought-after collaborator, curator, and artistic advisor; and for her ground-breaking approach to engagement.
Pianist Mark Markham is widely recognized as one of the great artists of his generation. His international career encompasses performances in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Equally at home as a soloist, a collaborator with some of the finest singers in the world, a jazz pianist, or a vocal coach, his interpretations have been praised by the public and press alike. The Baltimore Sun praised his performance of Liszt and Chopin for his “big, rich tone,” “abundant power” and “sensitively using a wide palate of tone coloring.”
Friday, Apr. 12 | 7:30 pm Svet Stoyanov, percussion
Thursday, May 23 | 7:00 pm Armstrong Honors Recital
The Spire Series is proud to host its close neighbor, Baltimore School for the Arts, for the annual Armstrong Honors Recital. This special event showcasing select members of the graduating class of 2024, is named for one of Baltimore’s great educators and BSA founder, Margaret Armstrong. Admission to this event is free.
No Tickets Required
Sunday, June 2 | 3:00 pm Paul Bisaccia
Prelude to Pride
PAST CONCERTS
(2023-2024 Season)
Sunday, Oct. 1 | 3:00pm Joshua Espinoza Trio
Latino-American jazz pianist Joshua Espinoza blends and bends genres into songs that are immediately relatable yet hard to define. He has performed with such luminaries as Sean Jones, Warren Wolf, Miho Hazama, Jihye Lee, and Chuck Redd. Alongside bassist Kris Monson and drummer Jaron Lamar Davis, the Joshua Espinoza Trio explores the undefined space between jazz improvisation, classical chamber music, pop music, and folk traditions. His debut album "Journey Into Night" is available on all platforms.
Friday, Nov. 3 | 7:30pm S'amusant
S'amusant is one of Baltimore’s newest musical ensembles, featuring extraordinary artists Wade Davis (cello), Patrick Merrill (harpsichord), and Melissa Wimbish (soprano). The group’s program, Dreams and Fantasies will cross boundaries from its early music roots to explore the music of Beethoven, Schumann, and Arvo Pärt. The group says, "Our mission is to perform this music with style and panache, and to have fun while doing it."
Program to include:
Beethoven | Cello Sonata No. 2
Schumann | Fantasy Pieces
Schumann | Selections from Frauenliebe und leben
Chopin | Etude, Op. 10, No. 3 "Tristesse"
Arvo Pärt | Spiegel im Spiegel
PAST CONCERTS
(2022-2023 Season)
Friday, Sept. 30 | 7:30pm Joshua Diaz & Mark Markham
Mexican American tenor Joshua Diaz partners with pianist Mark Markham in music by John Carter, Henri Duparc, and Richard Strauss, along with his interpretation of mariachi songs, a reflection of his family’s heritage.
Friday, Oct. 21 | 7:30pm Bach by Candlelight, Wade Davis
Wade Davis, a Baltimore-based baroque cellist is in high demand as a solo performer and chamber music collaborator. He regularly performs with the Washington Bach Consort and the Folger Consort.
Sunday, Dec. 11 | 4:00pm Candlelight Choral Concert
The First & Franklin Sanctuary Choir with conductor Jason Kissel are joined by harpist Jacqueline Pollauf, US Armed Forces Brass, and organist Kathie Metz in this annual concert of choral music for the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Opening with a stunning setting of O Come, O Come Emmanuel, the concert will feature John Rutter’s Gloria along with other music of the season.
Sunday, March 19 | 2:30pm The Ken & Brad Kolodner Quartet
The father-son team of Ken & Brad Kolodner weave together a captivating soundscape on hammered dulcimer and clawhammer banjo, blurring the lines of Old-Time, Bluegrass and American Roots music, joined by Alex Lacquement (bass, banjo) and Rachel Eddy (fiddle, guitar, vocals, banjo).
More about Ken & Brad Kolodner: https://www.kenandbrad.com/
Friday, April 21 | 7:30 pm Jessica Tong & Michael Sheppard
Jessica Tong, violinist, and Michael Sheppard, pianist, share a rare, singular vision in their approach to music-making and have presented adventurous programs that integrate both well-loved and lesser-known masterpieces for violin and piano.
Thursday, May 25 | 7:00 pm
The Armstrong Honors Recital will feature selected students of the Class of 2023 from the Baltimore School for the Arts. This recital is named for one of Baltimore’s great educators and BSA founder, Margaret Armstrong.
Sunday, June 4 | 3:00 pm | Sara Davis Buchner
Noted for her musical command, cosmopolitan artistry, and visionary independence, Baltimore native, pianist Sara Davis Buechner makes a long overdue return to Baltimore and is one of the most original concert pianists and storytellers of our time. Sara, who is a proud transgender woman, will help us kick off Pride Month 2023.
Learn more about Sara Davis Buechner: http://saradavisbuechner.com/