Celestial sounds II: There's Ellington, country, concertos in church

If you think music is only for concert halls, you haven't been to church in Naples.

Everything from opera to all-star jazz and country bands come to local sanctuaries. There's so much music, in fact, this is the second of two schedules for concerts and music shows set for this season: The first, which appeared Nov. 5,  is available online at naplesnews.com; search for celestial sounds.

Part one: Celestial sounds: Churches offer some of SWFL's best and newest music

North Naples Church

6000 Goodlette Road, North Naples, FL 34109 Information: www.northnaplesumc.com or 239-593-7600

Nov. 30 — Naples Brass Christmas Celebration: 7 p.m. Featuring Members of the Naples Philharmonic in the best in Christmas brass music ranging from “Christmas Classical” to “Christmas Fun." Free.

Dec. 4 — A Big-Band Holiday Spectacular: 7 p.m. Trumpeter Dan Miller and saxophonist  Lew Del Gatto, stars in their own rights, bring together an all-star big band for a special evening of swinging music, featuring Duke Ellington & Count Basie orchestra arrangements. The second half of the concert will be a "Jazz at the Philharmonic"-style jam session. $15, VIP $30

Jan. 28 — Dan Miller-Lew Del Gatto All-Stars: 4 p.m. Trumpeter Dan Miller and saxophonist Lew Del Gatto are joined by an all-star group of friends for an afternoon of swinging jazz. Guests include musicians from the Naples Philharmonic and more. $15

Feb. 8-11 — North Naples Music Festival: Concerts over four day featuring a variety of stages/venues on the church and school campus. Details TBA

Feb. 11 — The Martins Trio: 7 p.m. Multi-Dove winning artists Judy, Jonathan and Joyce Martin have performed on stages from The Grand Ole Opry to the White House, as well as concert halls, auditoriums and churches nationwide. Free

Feb. 25 — North Naples Church Pops Concert:  4 and 7 p.m. Hear the talents of “Friends of North Naples Church,” featuring local professionals, members of the Naples Philharmonic, and a variety of ensembles at North Naples Church.  

March 2 — Grand Opera Night: 7 p.m. Gulfshore Opera stages scenes from great works of opera and Broadway with Steffanie Pearce, professional soloists, chamber orchestra, and chorus. $28 and up

March 16 and 17 — Paradise Coastmen: 7 p.m. The Paradise Coastmen take audiences on a musical journey from the turn of the 20th century to some surprisingly contemporary pieces. $20, $25 at the door

Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church

1225 Piper Blvd., North Naples. www.vpcnaples.org or 239-597-5410

Dec. 6 — Advent Noontime Concert: Noon-12:30 p.m. Concerts featuring the church's new Lively-Fulcher pipe organ, singers and instrumentalists. Freewill offering.

Dec. 10 – Choirs Christmas Concert: 4 p.m. “A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols” Readings by the VandeReaders, choral anthems and congregational carol singing. Freewill offering.

Dec. 13 — Advent Noontime Concert: See Dec. 6 listing

Dec. 14 —A Seraphic Fire Christmas: 7 p.m. The Miami-based choral and instrumental music ensemble Seraphic Fire performs its  blend of Christmas music. $58. Tickets required; seraphicfire.org or 305-285--9060

Dec. 20 — Advent Noontime Concert: See Dec. 6 listing.

Jan. 18 — "The Little Match Girl" Passion: 7 p.m. "The Little Match Girl" Passion by the New York composer David Lang that won a Pulitzer Prize for music. The piece is based on Hans Christian Andersen's fable "The Little Match Girl" and inspired by Bach's St. Matthew Passion. Performed by Seraphic Fire. $46. Tickets required; seraphicfire.org or 305-285--9060

Jan. 28 – David Higgs, organ:  4 p.m. dedication concert of the new 55-rank Lively Fulcher pipe organ by the chairman of the Eastman School of Music organ department. Freewill offering.

Feb. 15 — St. Matthew Passion: 7 p.m. St. Matthew Passion. The Bach masterpiece performed by Seraphic Fire. $46. Tickets required; seraphicfire.org or 305-285--9060

Feb: 18 – Fred Swan Hymn Festival: 4 p.m. Iconic organist Fred Swan, who played at the Crystal Cathedral and Riverside Church, New York, will off his variations on favorite melodies and lead the audience in a  hymn festival. Freewill offering.

March 11 – Benefit concert: 4 p.m.Jodie Desalvo, piano; Jim Cochran, organ, and Glenn Basham, violin, in a concert to Benefit the Homeless of Collier County. Freewill offering.

March 15 — Brahms: Liebeslieder Waltzes.  7 p.m. Aacollection of love songs in Ländler style for voices and piano four hands. The lyrics for the Liebeslieder come from Georg Friedrich Daumer's "Polydora," a collection of folk songs and love poems. Performed by Seraphic Fire.$46. Tickets required; seraphicfire.org or 305-285--9060

March 18 – The Rutter "Gloria": 4 p.m. with brass, timpani, organ and choir. The First half of the concert includes organ solos performed by Jim Cochran on the new Lively-Fulcher pipe organ. Freewill offering.

April 8 – Prize winners' concert: 4 p.m. Three winners of Cochran Prize at Eastman 4 School of Music. This annual prize is presented annually to a graduate student who plays the finest degree recital. It and an annual scholarship was created by the congregation of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church to honor Vanderbilt music director Jim Cochran’s 20th anniversary in the music ministry 20th anniversary. Freewill offering.

April 15 — Arvo Pärt: Passio: 4 p.m. A setting of the Christian passion by Arvo Pärt for solo baritone, tenor, vocal quartet, choir, violin, oboe, cello, bassoon and organ, performed by Seraphic Fire. $46. Tickets required; seraphicfire.org or 305-285-9060

St. Monica's Episcopal Church

7070 Immokalee Road, North Naples. 239-591-4550 or stmonicasnaples.org

Dec. 10 — Advent concert: 4 p.m. A Service of Lessons and Carols, with handbell choir, soloists, orchestra, St. Monica's choir and audience participation. Freewill offering.

Feb. 11 — Epiphany concert:  4 p.m. Festival evensong with handbell choir, soloists, orchestra, St. Monica's choir and audience participation.

March 18 — The Irrera Brothers: 4 p.m. John and Joseph Irrera, piano and violin, received their doctorates together at the Eastman School of Music, the first in its history. Joseph is a laureate of the Young Artists International Piano Competition; John has worked with composers such as Michael Tilson Thomas, Peter Oundjian and composer Tan Dun. A reception follows.  

United Church of Christ

5200 Crayton Road, Naples.  Before and after each performance, there's fellowship with the performers at a reception in the Gathering Place. www.naplesucc.org or 239-261-5469

Dec. 10 — Christmas Concert: 3 p.m. With Becky Weese-Rumpf, Jamie and The Carolers. 3 p.m. Freewill offering

Jan.  27 — Deux Voix: 3 p.m. Trumpet and organ. $20

Jan. 16 — Mary Bowden and Stacey Berkley. Beverly Hall. Trumpet and harp duo. $30

Feb. 9 — Dan Heck Blues and Truth Sextet: 7 p.m. $20.

Feb. 11 — Naples Philharmonic Youth Jazz Band: 3 p.m. Dan Miller, director, leads the group in jazz from classic to contemporary. Freewill offering

Feb. 13 — An Intimate Evening of Love Songs: 7 p.m. Beverly Hall. Naples UCC section leaders Opera Naples resident artists and Robin Shufford Frank, piano. $30

March 6 — Classics and Tangos: 7 p.m. Beverly Hall. Catherine Lan and Tao Lin, both on piano. $30

March 16 —Purdue Men’s Glee Club: 7 p.m. $20

April 3 — The Still Kickers and Glenn Basham: 7 p.m. Bluegrass and fiddle. $30

Lely Presbyterian Church

110 St. Andrews Blvd., East Naples. A meet-the-artists reception follows each concert. lelychurch.com or 239-774-6151

Dec. 16 —Taylor and Friends: 2 p.m. Christmas Concert, featuring Lely music director Taylor L. Ferranti and his wife, Laura, with some special musical friends. Freewill offering

Jan.27 — Classical Vocal Favorites: 2 p.m. Classical vocal favorites, featuring local professional musicians presenting an afternoon of light-hearted music. Freewill offering

Feb.  24 —  Lely Presbyterian Choral Concert: 2 p.m. Featuring the Lely Presbyterian Church Choir, led by Taylor L. Ferranti, director of music. Freewill offering

March 24 — Ave Maria University Choir: 2 p.m. Featuring the 30-member Choir directed by Taylor L. Ferranti, who also serves as full-time associate professor of music at AMU. Freewill offering.