ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Music at St. Albans Brings Together Young and Professional Musicians
(l-r) Mobley and Lebedinsky prior to their concert in Davidson (Bill Giduz photo)
Music lovers across Davidson congregated in Gethsemane Baptist Church last Sunday afternoon to enjoy Music at St. Albans (M@SA) third concert of the season — “Every Time I Feel The Spirit: 200 Years of Music by Black Composers.” The concert was moved from its regular venue at St. Albans Episcopal Church because of a partnership between the two churches. The longstanding M@SA series is unique in Davidson for bringing young musicians and professionals together. The pros for this concert were countertenor Reginald Mobley and historical keyboardist Henry Lebedinsky.
The concert was a homecoming for Lebedinsky, who created M@SA 16 years ago when he was a resident of Davidson and organist at St. Albans. He is now an internationally renowned historical keyboardist, conductor, and composer based in Seattle. Mobley lives in Boston, and his latest recording projects include an all Handel disc. He is also a devoted activist, working to end inequality within the classical music industry. Though both musicians have renowned careers as solo performers and teachers, they have released two albums together on the VGoz Recordings label.
High school flutist Lily Dinsmore warms up prior to her M@SA presentation (Bill Giduz photo)
Jacqueline Dienemann, president of the board of M@SA, said the organization works to present a diverse set of musical genres each year between September and May. The musicians in this season’s lineup of performers are presenting baroque, classical, jazz, and Celtic music, all presented by world-class performers. M@SA is a 501C(c)(3) and is supported by a grant from the Arts and Science Council and NC Arts Council, as well as ticket sales, donations, and a grant from Town of Davidson for outreach.
The M@SA series also offers a professional experience for young musicians. The most recent concert began with performances by eight young musicians, a vocalist, and dancers. They also had an opportunity to meet the professionals at a reception following the main concert.
This year’s outreach will include performances at Davidson Library, LearnWorks, La Escuelita San Alban, and an African American cellist meeting with teens at Gethsemane Baptist Church, discussing how he has built his career.
Bill Giduz
Bill Giduz was the son who followed his father’s footsteps into journalism. He has been involved his entire life with news and photography in schools he attended and jobs he’s held. He believes now that he’s got a few good years left to devote to The News of Davidson.