Across four programs, we’ll reflect on how composers engage spiritual themes, guide us on mystical journeys, and tell timeless stories through the stirring power of word and song united.

Highlights of the season include Britten’s Hymn to St. Cecilia, a radiant ode to the patron saint of music; Handel’s Messiah, a cherished Christmas tradition; Joby Talbot’s Path of Miracles, a moving portrayal of pilgrimage and transformation; and Bach’s St. John Passion, one of choral music’s most profound and enduring masterpieces, depicting the final hours of Christ’s life.

These performances are offered in the strong conviction that sacred art music, shared live with intention and excellence, can stir something deep within each of us, foster connection, and summon the better angels of our shared humanity. We warmly invite you to join us, and perhaps bring someone along, to experience the beauty, challenge, and joy of this extraordinary music.

Warmly,
Ryan Jackson
William S. Perper Director of Music & Fine Arts Ministries

Of Voice & Verse
Friday, October 17 • 7 pm, Sanctuary

The Fifth Avenue Chamber Choir, directed by Ryan Jackson
Patrick Kreeger, organ and piano
The Fifth Avenue Chamber Choir presents an unforgettable evening celebrating the divine union of words and music. The program features Benjamin Britten’s dazzling Hymn to St. Cecilia, a vibrant tribute to the patron saint of music; Charles Villiers Parry’s soaring Blest Pair of Sirens, an epic setting of Milton’s visionary poetry for organ and double choir; and Eric Whitacre’s ethereal Her Sacred Spirit Soars, a luminous soundscape where text and tone intertwine in breathtaking harmony. Spanning centuries and styles, this program celebrates the enduring power of voice and verse, united in song.

Tickets available for purchase soon!

Handel’s Messiah
Friday, December 5 & Saturday, December 6 • 7 pm, Sanctuary

The Fifth Avenue Chamber Choir and Orchestra, directed by Ryan Jackson
Join the Fifth Avenue Chamber Choir and Orchestra for one of New York’s most beloved holiday traditions: Handel’s Messiah. From the gentle comfort of “He shall feed his flock” to the exultant power of the “Hallelujah” chorus, this timeless masterpiece traces a dramatic arc from prophecy to redemption. Performed by outstanding soloists and musicians, Messiah offers a moment of reflection, joy, and renewal at the start of the Christmas season.

Tickets available for purchase soon!

Talbot: Path of Miracles
Friday, February 6, 2026 • 7 pm, Sanctuary

The Fifth Avenue Chamber Choir, directed by Ryan Jackson
Joby Talbot’s Path of Miracles is an immersive choral journey that traces the ancient pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela through four stirring movements, each evoking a stage of the Camino. Blending haunting medieval chant with striking contemporary harmonies, the work captures the physical trials, spiritual reflection, and profound transcendence experienced by pilgrims across the centuries. A modern choral masterpiece celebrated for its evocative storytelling and dramatic impact, this is a rare opportunity to hear this deeply moving work performed live.

Tickets available for purchase soon!

Bach: St. John Passion
Friday, March 27, 2026 • 7 pm, Sanctuary

The Fifth Avenue Chamber Choir and Orchestra, directed by Ryan Jackson
Join us for our annual Lent concert featuring Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion—a gripping and deeply moving account of Christ’s final hours, and one of Western music’s greatest masterpieces. Through intimate arias, urgent choruses, and some of the most beautiful chorales ever written, Bach brings the Passion story vividly to life with unmatched emotional and spiritual depth. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or returning to a cherished favorite, this powerful work offers a profound musical gateway into the heart of Holy Week.

Tickets available for purchase soon!

Ryan Jackson Organ Recital

Sunday, November 16 • 1 pm, Sanctuary
Free and open to all!

Patrick Kreeger Organ Recital

Sunday, May 24, 2026 • 12 pm, Sanctuary
Free and open to all!