Friends of Music Presents
Lori Griswold
The Golden Age of American Song
Broadway comes alive on Sunday, June 23 when Friends of Music at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness concludes its 2023-24 series with a varied presentation. Vocalists Lori Griswold and Matthew Ruley will be joined by the St. John Parish Choir led by Organist and Director of Music Dewitt Tipton on piano.
The 4:00 p.m. program, held in the Parish Hall across Rutledge Drive from the historic hilltop church building, is free and open to the public. Parking and handicapped transportation are readily available.
Ms. Griswold, mezzo-soprano, has been singing virtually all her life. She studied with notable teachers in the Midwest and Charlotte. Her repertoire includes concert solos, musical theater, and opera roles. She estimates she has sung in 13 languages.
Mr. Ruley, tenor, is happy to once again join Lori on stage. The two met about 40 years ago, performing with Charlottetown Players, with Dewitt Tipton as music director. They are pleased to come together again to perform their favorite songs. A UNC Charlotte graduate, now living in West Virginia, Ruley favors Broadway music and cabaret concerts but enjoys a variety of musical styles including opera, country, theater and church choirs. He plays several instruments including saxophone, clarinet, and bass guitar.
The Sunday concert will encompass highlights from the golden age including South Pacific (“A Wonderful Guy”) My Fair Lady (“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “On the Street Where You Live”) Brigadoon (“The Heather on the Hill”) The Fantasticks (“They Were You”) I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change (“Shouldn’t I Be Less in Love with You?”) Composers: the Gershwins, Jule Styne, Lerner and Lowe, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and more.
The Friends of Music at St. John in the Wilderness brings instrumentalists, vocalists, artists, storytellers and other creatives to the Flat Rock area, hosting concerts and events to allow the community to experience the gifts these artists have to share. The public is always welcome.
The Parish Hall is located at 1905 Greenville Highway. For more information visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.
