Dr. Rändel Wolfe joined the staff of historic Trinity Lutheran Church in October 1999. He served as the Director of Music & the Arts through 2010. Rändel was named Director of Music & the Arts Emeritus when an illness prevented him from continuing his ministry. He joined the church triumphant in April 2013. As an on-going testimony to the musical gifts of our brother in Christ, we established the Rändel L. Wolfe Memorial Concert Series to provide support for organ recitals and concerts throughout the year.
These concerts are supported through patron contributions. If you would like to make a gift to support the Rändel L. Wolfe Memorial Concert Series please mail contributions to the church office.
March 24, 2019 at 3 PM – Bucks County Gilbert & Sullivan Society
This concert is presented in partnership with the Reading Musical Foundation
The Bucks County Gilbert & Sullivan Society celebrates its eleventh season this year, having begun, as most such societies do, with a couple of enthusiasts wondering if they could find an audience in their community for their favorite pastime. After these ten years of blood, sweat, tears and love, we just might be here to stay! We have found a home at Delaware Valley University for the last five years, and are preparing a fully staged production of “The Pirates of Penzance” for Fathers’ Day weekend, June 14-16. Our exceptional orchestra has solidified at 26 or so pieces, our principals and chorus are first quality, and our loyal audience has grown each year. Every fall we also perform a dessert cabaret with G&S favorites and Broadway gems, and every December we host a Handel’s Messiah Sing-Along with full orchestra and enthusiastic audience participation. We feel very lucky to have found genuine appreciation in Bucks County of the stunning works of W.S.Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. We are looking forward to sharing with our Berks County neighbors, some of our favorite songs including patter pieces honoring the memory of Rändel Wolfe.
Almost 90 years old, RMF is a public charity that provides financial support for music presenters in Berks County, music scholarships by audition and in response to financial need, and extensive music outreach, including programs in most of Berks County’s public and parochial schools. RMF is governed by a self-perpetuating board of volunteer trustees and is administered by two full-time employees.
Thanks to the generous support of our local community last year, RMF’s annual efforts to support music education and appreciation included:
- Investing $193,937 in scholarships for Berks County student musicians, with slightly more for need-sensitive awards as compared to audition-based awards.
- Providing 59 mission-specific grants for 2018-2019 totaling $313,000.
- Advocating for Berks County’s strong music network, from strengthening the capacity of school music programs to providing resources for community access to concerts and ensembles, as well as continuing to collect relevant data on public school music programs, primarily focused on equity amongst districts.
- Ensuring quality instruments are available to students, regardless of their ability to afford them, through Operation Replay, RMF’s instrument recycling program sponsored by Zeswitz Music.
Every year, our school and community music programs produce students with extreme capabilities that go beyond rehearsal rooms and concert stages. RMF’s mission-based focus ensures student musicians of all ages and abilities have access to advancement opportunities and qualified educators, regardless of their zip code or background.
April 14, 2019 at 4 PM – Brotherly Love
This concert is presented in partnership with The LGBT Center of Greater Reading
First formed by a group of men Christmas caroling locally in 1981, the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC) has grown to 140+ active TTBB (Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Baritone, Bass) chorus members, and has steadily increased its visibility within the LGBTQ+ community and among Philadelphia arts organizations. The season includes three main stage productions in December, March, and May. In addition, the Chorus performs at cabarets, fundraisers, and other community events throughout the year. The select ensemble Brotherly Love (BROLO) performs at other concerts and community outreach events throughout the year. PGMC’s repertoire includes a broad range of styles, including music from the 17th century to the present — spirituals, sacred music, holiday tunes, love ballads, comic pieces, pop and rock songs, Broadway and Hollywood tunes, opera choruses, folk songs from around the world, the latest LGBT empowerment music and other commissioned LGBT works.
The LGBT Center of Greater Reading provides support, services and advocacy to the Greater Reading community with the goal that all may live a life of fulfillment, inclusion and celebration. We offer 6 support groups, professional training for social service agencies, businesses and civic organizations, reference and referral along with additional resources, programs and events.
September 29, 2019 at 4 PM – Hymn Festival with Omaldo Perez
This concert is presented in partnership with Centro Hispano
Omaldo Perez is Cantor at Zoar Lutheran Church in Perrysburg Ohio. He is a board member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and has collaborated and coordinated regional and national worship services for the ELCA and ALCM. Omaldo will also be our guest musician for worship that day as we celebrate St. Michael and All Angels.
