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People who go by the rectory at St. Bernadette church in
Springfield might hear the smooth sounds of the baritone saxophone played by
Father Richard A. Miserendino, parochial vicar. Chances are, Father Miserendino,
who has played saxophone for 25 years, is rehearsing for the upcoming concert
with the Capital Wind Symphony at St. Bernadette.
A Nov. 15 concert at 7:30 p.m. at the church is part of a concert
series the parish is starting.
“We are trying to build up the culture of the parish and have
events that build up a community, that’s edifying for everybody involved,” said
Father Miserendino. “We feel strongly it’s time for the Catholic church to
reclaim support of the arts.”
Father Miserendino said the church seems to have lost that
patronage.
“It used to be people more clearly saw the connection between
beauty and God and now it’s not so obvious to a lot of people,” he said. “Music
is a language and it’s a language that speaks in beauty. It speaks in a deep
way about God.”
A great number of classical composers were church musicians, said
Father Miserendino.
“Maybe we can start to think about rebuilding it a little bit,”
he said.
It was Father Miserendino who suggested the Capital Wind Symphony
play a concert. When Father Miserendino was in high school he came to know Capital
Wind Symphony conductor George Etheridge through his teacher who proposed he
join the Capital Wind Symphony during the summers to play for the free concerts
in Fairfax County parks. Father Miserendino went off to college at the
University of Rochester and Eastman School of Music, pursuing degrees in
physics, math and music performance. He’d rejoin the band for summer concerts.
He started playing baritone saxophone in a college quartet and after
graduation joined Capital Wind Symphony as a regular baritone saxophone player.
He played with his quartet and the Capital Wind Symphony until entering the
seminary in 2009.
The Capital Wind Symphony is a group of
around 60 professional musicians from around the area, most are in the military
bands in Washington. The program for the concert includes works by
Bernstein, Gershwin, Milhaud and others.
“St. Bernadette is a beautiful space,” said Capital Wind Symphony
Conductor George Etheridge. “We feel strongly about getting concerts out into
the public.”
David Mathers, director of music ministries at St. Bernadette, said
the concert series is a way for the parish to attract the larger community.
“We are opening our doors to the community, so they feel a sense
of welcome,” he said. “We get to know them, too. It’s an evangelization
opportunity and a widening of our own experience.”
The concert series will include Advent Lessons and Carols Dec. 13
at 7:30 p.m.
If you go
St. Bernadette Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Rd,
Springfield, Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Go to capitalwindsymphony.org to find out about Capital
Wind Symphony.
