Sublime Art in a Sacred Space

Second Series: Sublime Art in a Sacred Space – the Backstory

When Second Reformed Church undertook the “Deep and Wide” Capital Campaign, it included improvements to the Reuter Organ and a revision of the Chancel in the sanctuary. In the original layout of the chancel were fixed pews, immovable pulpit and lectern, a stationery organ console, and a solid half-wall to delineate the choir area. There was very little floor space to allow for instrumental ensembles, sacred dancers, or even the piano.

We envisioned an open floor space, on which we could place movable sacred furnishings, organ and piano, and choir chairs, in flexible more accommodating arrangements, adaptable to different needs and more diverse purposes. We sought to preserve the sacred character of the space, while improving the acoustics and opening an enlarged chancel floor to more versatile usage.

To celebrate the completion of the project, we instituted a recital series to welcome various performers into the new space and to share the facilities with the community. “Second Series: Sublime Art in a Sacred Space” was created in the fall of 2018, and continues on.

Stay tuned for updates regarding the 2023-2024 series line-up.

Upcoming concerts are listed below. All are welcome at these events! There is no admission fee; gifts to support the series will be gratefully received.

2023 - 2024

September 24, 2023 – 5:00 pm    .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Letitia Jap, violin with Sookkyung Cho, piano (https://www.letitiajap.com)

October 22, 2023 – 3:00 pm (note earlier time)   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
“Ferdinand the Bull” & other children’s favorites (with symphony friends - more details to come)

November 12, 2023 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Holland Bach Society (https://hollandbachsociety.org)

December 10, 2023 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Advent and Christmas Hymn Sing (feat. SRC musicians)

January 21, 2024 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
David Heinze, organist (https://www.rscmnewport.org/associate-organist-david-heinze)

February 25, 2024 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Baroque Meditations (feat. local chamber musicians)

March 24, 2024 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Dr. Christopher Guzman, piano (https://www.music.northwestern.edu/news/2023/christopher-guzman-appointed-professor-piano)

April 14, 2024 – 3:00 pm (note earlier time)   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
West Michigan Children’s Choir (https://thewmcc.weebly.com/)

May 5, 2024 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
West Michigan Flute Orchestra (https://www.westmichiganfluteassociation.com/wmfo)

2022 - 2023

September 11, 2022 – 5:00 pm    .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Hymn Sing (hosted by Aaron & Kristin Goodyke, Co-Directors of Music @ Second)

October 2, 2022 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Great Lakes Duo (feat. Rhonda Edgington - organist and Brian Reichenbach - trumpet, https://rhonda.edgington.info/ + https://brianreichenbach.com/duo)

November 13, 2022 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Holland Bach Society (https://hollandbachsociety.org)

December 4, 2022 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Holiday Handbell Duets (feat. Larry and Carla Sue, http://larryandcarla.com/)

January 22, 2023 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Andrew Plaisier, cellist + Ruth VandenBos-Plaisier, pianist/violinist (https://saugatuckmusic.org/artist/andrew-plaisier/)

February 26, 2023 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Frédéric Blanc, organist (https://www.fredericblanc.org/biographie)

March 26, 2023 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
West Michigan Horn Choir
(https://www.wmcw.org/small-ensembles/west-michigan-horn-choir/)

April 23, 2023 – 3:00 pm (note earlier time)   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
West Michigan Children’s Choir (https://thewmcc.weebly.com/)

May 21, 2023 – 5:00 pm     .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .
Holland Symphony Chamber Quintet