The St. Paul’s, Ivy Concert Series was founded in 2025 under the leadership of Artistic Director Gabriel Rhys Simerson and aims to make a high-quality, diverse selection of the arts accessible to anyone who finds us. Our concerts are open to all and free of charge, and include a post-concert reception with food, beverages, and the company of the artists and neighbors who seek the same shared experience of beauty. We plan to offer three or four concerts per year, between September and May.
The series is funded solely by ongoing private donations and runs independently from the church’s operating budget. Your contributions are always welcome; please visit our Give webpage to donate to the Music Concert Series Fund. See our growing list of donors!
Our Upcoming Season
"Cinema Classics," accompanied by organist Peter Krasinski | October 16, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s becomes a movie theater as internationally-known organist Peter Krasinski, silent film 
artist, improvises soundtracks to the great silent films of the 1920s, just in time for Halloween! Come and start with a family-friendly assortment of short films, then put the kids to bed or stay and settle in for the feature: the 1925 Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney. Hear the organ and see the silver screen in a new light!
Jonathan Bolena, organist | January 22, 2027, 7:00 p.m.
Former St. Paul’s interim music director, Woodberry Forest graduate, and Oberlin Conservatory student Jonathan Bolena returns to town to play a recital of varied organ works on the 18-rank Schoenstein organ.
The Connecticut Trio | April 23, 2027, 7:00 p.m.
Veteran chamber musicians William R. Braun (piano), Julie Ribchkinsky (cello), and Artemis Simerson (violin) combine forces to form a piano trio of rare experience and musicianship. Enjoy an evening of some of the finest chamber music in the repertoire, culminating in Felix Mendelssohn’s major Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor.
Duo Seraphim: Baroque Soprano Duets | May 14, 2027, 7:00 p.m.
Featuring Willow Pedersen and Margot Rood, sopranos, with Gabriel Rhys Simerson, continuo
Award-winning sopranos Margot Rood and Willow Pedersen explore the duet repertoire of the Baroque, from the staid and sacred to the flirty and secular! Artistic Director Gabriel Rhys Simerson accompanies on harpsichord, completing a trio that will fill the nave in glorious and felicitous ways.
GIVING
As this concert series is funded entirely by private donations, your participation is crucial, and every bit matters!
If you’d like to donate, you can either write a check to “St. Paul’s, Ivy” with “Concert Series” in the memo line, or visit our Give webpage and select “Music Concert Series Fund” in the dropdown menu. You will be gratefully acknowledged in programs and on our website for your gift.
Giving Levels:
Neve Circle: $3,000 and above
Benefactors: $1,500–2,999
Patrons: $750–1,499
Sponsors: $250–749
Friends: $1–249
See our growing list of donors!
Neve Circle
Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Halliday*†
Dr. Lucy Welbourn Johnson†
Dr. and Mrs. Alfred C. Weaver*†
Benefactors
Ms. Ann Crosby*
Mr. and Mrs. Franklin S. Edmonds, Jr.*
Dr. and Mrs. Byrd S. Leavell, Jr.*
Ms. Amy Rardin
Patrons
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Adkins*
Mr. and Mrs. Willam E. Baer
Drs. April and Jonathan Bingham†
Ms. Karen Blair*
Mr. Christopher A. Bono*
Mr. and Mrs. David A. Calhoun*
Mr. and Mrs. Waller T. Dudley*
Dr. Jo Ann U. Hinson and Mr. Robert Hinson
Mr. and Mrs. David S. Koven*
Ms. Mary M. Lane*
Mr. Gabriel Rhys Simerson*†
Sponsors
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Barlow, III*
Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey R. Bollier*
Ms. Valerie Cole*
Mr. and Mrs. Dean Dass*
Ms. Christine Eichler*
Rose Beverley Emery, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Fleming*
Dr. and Mrs. Dacre R. T. Knight
Mr. and Mrs. Ky Lindsay
The Rev. and Mrs. Richard A. Lord*
Mr. Paul W. McKee
Ms. Caroline McLean
Mr. and Mrs. George P. Nowlin, III*
Ms. Beth Shannon
Mr. and Mrs. Ashish K. Singh*
Dr. and Mrs. Gordon R. Simerson*
Mrs. Karen Lovegren Smith*
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Swensen*
Dr. Peyton T. Taylor, Jr*
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Yesawich*
Mrs. Jane T. Yancey
Friends
Mr. William Birkhofer
Mr. and Mrs. John Charles Bruse*
Ms. Sara E. Cary*
Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Diaz*
Mr. Bruce L. Dell and Ms. Deborah Lamberton*
Mr. Magruder Dent
Ms. Maria Fox and Mr. Ed Dillingham
Ms. Abigail Gillespie and Mr. Ben Nussbaum*
Mr. and Mrs. David Gilpin-Hudson*
Mrs. Patricia S. Greene*
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Hubbard, Jr.*
Mr. and Mrs. Todd Kemp*
Ms. Caroline Knight
The Rev. Amanda Kotval
Mr. and Mrs. Ron McCall*
The Rev. and Mrs. Justin M. McIntosh*
Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Maryman*
Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Olowin*
Dr. and Mrs. George Politis
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Walker Richmond*
Ms. Kathryn A. Sejen*
Ms. Elisabeth Sloan
Mr. and Mrs. Tim F. Jost Tolson*
Mr. Richard Wallace and Ms. Corina Rusu*
Ms. Robin Vaughn
Ms. Yvonne Wagner
Mr. and Mrs. Ken Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Wilcox*
Mr. William V. Zeller*
*Founding donors of the Concert Series; †Donors who contributed to the purchase of the new grand piano
This list includes all gifts received from the founding of the Concert Series in 2025 through October 7, 2026. Beginning in 2027, gifts received by December 31 will be designated for the current season, while gifts received on or after January 1 will be designated for the season beginning that fall. Concert program donor lists will reflect these designations. Thank you for your continued generosity and support!
Friends of Music:
The Friends of Music are a group of volunteers who provide hospitality and logistical support for special musical events such as the St. Paul’s, Ivy Concert Series, hosting receptions, acting as ushers, and performing other supportive duties as may be helpful. With a current roster of roughly sixteen, any Friend might be called on only once or twice a year, and the only requirement for participation is interest!
If you would like to volunteer your time and talent to support welcoming musical events at St. Paul’s, email Director of Music Ministries Gabe Simerson.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I have to register or pay admission?
No! All concerts are free and open to all. If a concert is expected to reach building capacity, there may be registration requirements, which will be communicated in advance.
Is it all church and organ music?
No! While organ and choral music will appear in some concerts, our series also includes various types of other music, from gospel to chamber music.
Is the building accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes; the main sanctuary doors, which are close to handicapped parking, are on the same level as the church, and reception and restroom facilities are accessible on one level via the outside sidewalk through the courtyard.
Is there parking?
Yes! There is a large parking lot on campus, at no charge.
I'm unable to give any money; am I still welcome?
Absolutely! Our goal is to make sure anyone who wants to hear great music can do so.
I'm interested in exploring more music at St. Paul's. How do I do that?
What a wonderful question! Check out information about our music program, or send Gabriel Rhys Simerson, our Director of Music Ministries an email.