Sounds of Starkenburg scheduled for today

Posted 11/27/21

The Historic St. Martin’s Church Museum at Starkenburg will host the Sounds of Starkenburg, with two concerts, to kick off the holiday season. The concerts, always held the Saturday after …

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Sounds of Starkenburg scheduled for today

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The Historic St. Martin’s Church Museum at Starkenburg will host the Sounds of Starkenburg, with two concerts, to kick off the holiday season. The concerts, always held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, will be Saturday, November 27, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.


Pipe organist Barry Bierwirth will return to play the historic pipe organ, which is the oldest Pfeffer Pipe Organ west of the Mississippi. Bierwirth is a native of Hermann, having studied piano with Joan Eckerle and Mildred Schmidt. He has had a large part in the preservation and restoration of the 1860 Pfeffer pipe organ in St. Martin's, having played it on various occasions since his high school years. He is now a resident of St. Louis County, where he is director of the German Men's Chorus and the assistant accompanist for the St. Louis Metro Singers. Previously, he was also organist in two UCC churches in the St. Louis area for 36 years, and still substitutes for church music when asked.


Joining Bierwirth is Melissa Fyr and Tim Garcia of Washington, Mo. Fyr is a musician/vocal stylist who has performed in over 25 states across the country. She leads her own duo and more with pianist Tim Garcia, singing jazz, and as a duo with local guitarist Daniel Swan, singing a variety of pop/soft rock/country and originals. She performs with the local Starlighters Swinging Big Band, and Washington Brass Band. She performs with the St. Louis University Concert Band, Wildwood Community College for specialty events and East Central College Bands and Choir. She's a mentor and performer with the Dragons Drum and Bugle Corps, volunteers her time with band students at Meramec Valley R3, guest vocalist for The Jazz Troubadours of Illinois, as well touring around the country with the popular St. Louis Big Band as lead singer, for the last six years, and enjoys performing with Michael Sinatra California and local jazz artists in St. Louis.


Garcia, a native of St. Louis, completed his Bachelor’s degree in theory and composition in 1977 and his Master’s degree in jazz studies and theory and composition in 2005. In 1979, Tim took top honors in the Missouri Forum for Composers and has been composing ever since. Tim is a very active free-lance performer, educator, clinician and arranger. His works have been performed and recorded for radio, TV and concert halls. He has performed professionally in the St. Louis area for over thirty years performing as a soloist and with groups such as the Genesis Jazz Project, an 18-piece big band conducted by Jamie Burchett. Tim also operates a private piano studio in Kirkwood. Tim Garcia has been an adjunct professor at Webster University for 17 years and Maryville University for seven years in addition to numerous other universities. Tim is currently on the faculty at Saint Louis Community College at Wildwood teaching History of Rock and Roll and Music Appreciation.


Also new to the vocalist line-up this year is Brenna Jones, Grant Bucher and Colin Jones.


Brenna Jones is a graduate of Hermann High School and is currently attending Washington University in St. Louis to study theater and communication design. She specializes in musical theater and loves singing duets with her cat, Mo. In addition to school, she co-owns Half Act Theatre Company, a local youth troupe in Hermann, dedicated to spreading arts education.


Grant Bucher is also a graduate of Hermann High School and is a graduate of University of Central Missouri at Warrensburg, where he majored in music. Bucher was involved in theater, music and band in high school and at the Showboat Theater. In college, Bucher was a member of the UCM Marching Band and Jazz Band. He is currently playing saxophone with Friends of Aaron Jazz Band, and will be performing at Six Flags for the holiday season as a vocalist.
Colin Jones is a senior at Hermann High School. Colin has been very active in theater and music in his school career, and at the Showboat Theater. Colin recently earned First Chair Trombone in the All-District Honor Band for the Central District of Missouri.

The six artists will perform music of the Advent and Christmas Season. There will be sing-alongs for everyone to participate in.


There will be a soup supper between concerts from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. at Valentine Hall. Soups, sandwiches and desserts will be offered. Fyr and Garcia will provide dinner music to delight the audience. The Church of the Risen Savior St. Anne’s Altar Society will have a country store, featuring quilt raffles, baked goods, needlework and many other items. The Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows will also have quilt raffles, and Shrine memorabilia for sale.


The concerts are free and open to the public. A free-will donation will be collected to benefit the St. Martin’s Church Museum. Doors open one hour prior to each concert. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The church museum and hall are handicap accessible.
St. Martin’s Church Museum and Valentine Hall are located at 197 Highway P, northwest of Rhineland, at Starkenburg. From the intersection of Highways 94 and 19, just north of Hermann, turn west towards Rhineland. One mile west of Rhineland, take Highway P north for 2 miles to Starkenburg.
For additional information, contact Brenda Van Booven at 573-236-4390 or 314-223-5911 or risensav@ktis.net. You may also contact Tammy Bruckerhoff at 573-690-1965 or TourismDirector@VisitHermann.com.

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