Pasadena Singers concert March 3

The Pasadena Singers, directed by Dr. Timothy Howard, will present “Choral Favorites from Two Continents,” a free concert that will include the world premiere of three pieces on Sat., March 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 585 E. Colorado Blvd. (corner of Madison) in the Playhouse District of downtown Pasadena.

The concert is part of the church’s “Friends of Music at PPC” series. Admission is free; a freewill offering will be taken. The Pasadena Singers, with 27 members, is one of eight choirs and ensembles at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

A focal point of the concert will be the first performances of three folk songs arrangements by English composer Philip Lawson: “Star of the County Down,” “When the Kye Comes Home,” and “Aiken Drum.” Members of The Pasadena Singers commissioned two of the three new arrangements; a PPC member commissioned the third selection.

Lawson sang with The King’s Singers and has been the group’s principal arranger for nearly two decades. In 2009 the group's album "Simple Gifts," on which Lawson arranged 10 out of 15 tracks, won the Grammy award for "Best Classical Crossover Album."

Other works on the March 3 program will be selections from Brahms’ “Liebeslieder Waltzes,” “Three Shakespeare Songs” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, “Stomp Your Foot” and “The Promise of Living” by Aaron Copland, and an arrangement of “Cindy” by Mack Wilberg.

Timothy Howard is Director of Music and Organist at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. In addition, he is Lecturer in Music at California State University, Northridge and head of the school’s organ program.

This spring he will be one of three organists participating in “Pipe Organs Inspire,” a series of free-admission recitals on March 14 at First United Methodist Church, Pasadena; March 31 at First Church of Christ, Scientist, Pasadena; and April 14 at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

The “Friends of Music at PPC” series is a major outreach component of Pasadena Presbyterian Church’s ministry to the community. This season it is presenting nine free-admission concerts and the church’s weekly “Music at Noon” concert series of free-admission recitals from 12:10-12:40 p.m. every Wednesday.

The next concert on the “Friends of Music at PPC” series will be the 15th annual Good Friday concert on April 6 at 7:30 p.m. The PPC Kirk Choir, community singers, soloists and the Friends of Music Orchestra will present a program that will include John Rutter’s “Requiem” and other selections for Holy Week.

Concert information: 626/793-2191; www.ppc.net