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Jazz & Poetry

Grace Church offers poetry readings and jazz concerts from time to time, including a “Music and More on the Lawn” series every summer. Sometimes musicians a poets perform together—an electric combination, where the readers’ voice becomes an instrument, and the instrument a poetic voice, all in an atmosphere of improvisation. See the News & Events section (This Week and Upcoming Events) for information on scheduled performances and readings.

Bach Festival

The Bach Festival has been held every year in July since 1993. Five recitals featuring superb musicians filled the church with classical music lovers. The Bach Festival is now organized and directed by organist/choir director Francine Maté and was originally created by former organist/choir director Larry Molinaro.

Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events page, beginning in May each year, for information about the upcoming festival. We suggest a donation of $20.00 for each recital.

2011 Back Festival Update

The Grace Church Bach Festival presented five concerts in July of 2011. All concerts featured our organ, and two concerts, July 6 and July 13, both at 7:30 pm, presented only organ music. The July 6 program was performed by German organist, Roland Maria Stangier from Essen, Germany. The July 13 organ recital was presented by Washington, D.C. organist, Ronald Stolk.

Organist / Choir Director Francine Mate's Bach group began the series this summer on Saturday, July 2 at 3 pm. They presented 2 of J.S. Bach’s Italian solo cantatas. One of those cantatas tells the story of “Cupid,”—so there were humorous texts in this series! On this same program, cellist Charlie Powers continued his journey with us through the Bach solo cello suites by performing the Cello Suite No. 3. Joe Banno of The Washington Post stated the following: “Cellist Charlie Powers, who has done memorably fine work at this festival in the past, finished the first half of the program with a beautifully turned performance of the Third Cello Suite. Fleet tempos, a fluent technique and a graceful way with phrasing didn’t preclude depth or gutsiness when needed—notably in a richly delivered Sarabande and a brashly rustic approach to the concluding Gigue…” Banno also wrote the following about our organist's performance: “With a crisply turned swagger to her playing, and starkly effective color in her registration, Mate gave the E-minor Prelude and Fugue a bold reading (which) contrasted nicely with the more flowing and contemplative work she did in the smaller pieces.”

On Friday, July 8, at 8 pm, Bach Festival Founder, Lawrence Molinaro, performed J. S. Bach’s, Clavier-Übung II. Grace is very grateful for Larry’s insight 18 years ago in founding the Bach Festival at Grace Church.

On Saturday, July 9, at 3 pm, The Williamsburg Bach Ensemble, led by organist Thomas M. Marshall, presented a program entitled “Arias and Dances of J.S. Bach.”

Please check our website beginning in May of 2012 for details of next year’s festival.

Arts and Literature Club

This group organizes outings to various cultural events, including concerts at the National Cathedral, plays and movies of interest, and other performances. Keep an eye on This Week at Grace and Upcoming Events to see what might interest you. Contact the Arts and Literature Club at