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AUBURN — The New England Festival of Praise — commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and sponsored by The Mark Thallander Foundation — will be held Sunday, Oct. 1, beginning at 6 p.m. at Court Street Baptist Church, 129 Court St. It will feature former Crystal Cathedral organist Mark Thallander and renowned pianist, vocalist and composer Ken Medema; Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul organist Scott Vaillancourt; host music minister Kathleen Haley; the Prince of Peace Handbell Choir; and a choir comprised of Maine and New Hampshire singers also will highlight the concert.
Thallander, organist at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Ca., for 18 years, lost his left arm as a result of an automobile accident on the Maine Turnpike while vacationing in the Pine Tree State in 2003. He has masterfully rearranged organ music so he can perform it exceptionally professionally with his two feet and right arm. His journey from the brink of death to again be a concert-level musician is chronicled in the book “Champions.” He was honored with the Crystal Cathedral’s annual “Life’s Not Fair, But God Is Good Award” in 2004. A graduate of Vanguard University of Costa Mesa, California, and California State University, Long Beach, Thallander gives concerts and produces music festivals throughout the United States and around the world.
Medema, a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in music therapy, has been described as “one of the most creative and authentic artists performing today.” Blind since birth, he has enthralled music lovers in congregations and at school campuses, corporate conventions, youth gatherings and other venues in more than 15 countries on four continents with his keyboard and vocal abilities, incredible improvisation skills and humor. In 1985, he started Briar Patch Music, an independent recording, publishing and performance-booking organization, which Jane, his wife of 52 years, and he continue to manage.
Vaillancourt is a Bowdoin College graduate who holds masters degrees in music composition and music performance from the University of Michigan. Currently the music director for the Basilica in Lewiston, he has overseen a restoration of its historic Casavant pipe organ; he also is a composer, arranger and teacher. Vaillancourt has taught for the University of Maine system and Bowdoin College, directed the University of New England’s band and chorus and performed with the Bangor, Colby, Portland and Atlantic Chamber symphonies, The Portland Brass Quintet, and the Portland Opera Repertory Theater (PORT) orchestra.
The Handbell Choir is comprised of about a dozen musicians. Formed in 2013, the choir is dedicated to making wonderful music that is pleasing to listeners and honors God. It performs at Mass and other liturgies several times each year.
Haley is a musical product of Edward Little High School and the University of Southern Maine. She began her church music career at the Danville Union Church in Auburn. She served as organist and choir director for several southern Maine congregations prior to becoming the music minister at Court Street Baptist. She also is well known throughout the state because of her earlier work with The Chord Majority and Good and Plenty, and being the assistant director of the nondenominational regional choir Delta Heart. Besides being immersed in the music for services at Court Street Baptist, Haley performs at venues such as the Sawyer Memorial in Greene, the Poland Spring Inn and Resort, All Souls Chapel at Poland Spring, and at area celebrations, weddings and funerals.
A free-will offering will be collected.
