St. Margaret's Friends of Music (formerly known as Desert Friends of Music):
Each year, St. Margaret's Friends of Music sponsors a series of concerts in the church’s sanctuary. Now in its twenty-first season, previous year’s series have included performances by outstanding choirs such as The Vienna Choir Boys, Chanticleer (multiple times), Clare College Choir, and The Queen’s Six. Renowned instrumental groups have included Canadian Brass, Boston Brass, The Southern California Brass Consortium, and The Side Street Strutters Jazz Band. World-renowned organists include Frederick Swann, Nathan Laube, and Christopher Houlihan. St. Margaret's choir's performance of Nine Lessons and Carols in December is always among the highlights of the season.
- Presents the best in quality music programming for the desert community particularly in the areas of choral and organ performances.
- Supports the overall mission of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and increase awareness of its programs throughout the Valley.
- Showcases the church’s magnificent Quimby organ and to utilize the beautiful performance space provided by the large, spacious sanctuary.
- Encourages music education in area youth by providing low-cost access to concerts.
Each year, St. Margaret's Friends of Music sponsors a series of concerts in the church’s sanctuary. Now in its twenty-first season, previous year’s series have included performances by outstanding choirs such as The Vienna Choir Boys, Chanticleer (multiple times), Clare College Choir, and The Queen’s Six. Renowned instrumental groups have included Canadian Brass, Boston Brass, The Southern California Brass Consortium, and The Side Street Strutters Jazz Band. World-renowned organists include Frederick Swann, Nathan Laube, and Christopher Houlihan. St. Margaret's choir's performance of Nine Lessons and Carols in December is always among the highlights of the season.
2024-25 Concert Season
St. Margaret's Friends of Music is finalizing the 2024-25 concert series now. The new season should be announced in late-Spring 2024.
About
St. Margaret's Friends of Music is governed by a volunteer, self-perpetuating executive council under the leadership of Douglas Leightenheimer, Director of Music. As an organization of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, ultimate responsibility lies with the church’s vestry, and the St. Margaret's Friends of Music executive council includes one or more vestry members. Besides the selection and planning of concert events, executive council members are responsible for many of the activities required to produce these events. These include publicity, ticket sales, audio-visual support, hosting and planning for the needs of guest artists, ushering, and setup and serving the receptions that follow most of the concerts.
St. Margaret's Friends of Music is governed by a volunteer, self-perpetuating executive council under the leadership of Douglas Leightenheimer, Director of Music. As an organization of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, ultimate responsibility lies with the church’s vestry, and the St. Margaret's Friends of Music executive council includes one or more vestry members. Besides the selection and planning of concert events, executive council members are responsible for many of the activities required to produce these events. These include publicity, ticket sales, audio-visual support, hosting and planning for the needs of guest artists, ushering, and setup and serving the receptions that follow most of the concerts.
