The Salon Series:
A Ministry of Ascension Music
What are salon concerts?
Much of history's finest solo and chamber music was composed not for concert halls, but for intimate gatherings in the private rooms, or salons, of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, where friends met to listen, learn, and share ideas about the arts. Ascension’s Salon Series brings back the vibrant Salon experience with engaging performances in lovely, intimate spaces within our historic church.
Ascension Music’s Salon Series features artists from Ascension Parish and local guest artists. Concerts range from song recitals in our Parlor with our 19th-century Chickering grand piano, to Baroque chamber concerts in our serene Sanctuary with our Baroque-style Coulter tracker organ; to energizing musical theatre songs at the Steinway in our cheery, airy Reinhardt Hall. After each concert comes an opportunity to socialize with artists other concertgoers.
Representation
All are welcome at Ascension. Concert admittance is donation-based, and no one will be turned away.
Learning
Our programming highlights music by women, by people of color, and by other members of historically underrepresented groups.
Accessibility
Salon Series concerts include accessible, engaging commentary on the music performed.
The Salon Series
2024-2025 Season
Lovers & Lieder
Jocelyn Claire Thomas, soprano
Zachary Lenox, baritone
Emma Cowell, piano
Saturday, September 28, 2024, 4:00 P.M.
This romantic recital will feature Lieder (German art songs for voice and piano) by two of music history’s greatest married couples, performed by local operatic power couple Jocelyn Claire Thomas and Zachary Lenox. The program includes the entirety of Robert and Clara Schumann’s collaborative song cycle, 12 Gedichte aus Liebesfrühling, as well as Gustav Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder and songs by Alma Mahler.
This concert will take place in our intimate Parlor, with our historic Chickering parlor grand piano. A reception will follow the recital.
Carols in the Chapel
Ireland McNeill, soprano
Mila Ortiz, mezzo soprano
Emma Cowell, soprano & organ
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 4:00 P.M.
Join us in Ascension’s lovely, historic Chapel for a carol singalong accompanied by our Baroque-style Coulter tracker organ. You’ll also enjoy a selection of traditional carols arranged for a cappella women’s trio, performed by local vocalists Ireland McNeill and Mila Ortiz, with Ascension music director Emma Cowell. This cozy concert will be followed by a reception with cookies and tea.
A Tour of Eastern Europe
Ensemble Boulanger
Emma Cowell, soprano
Hannah Brewer, piano
Sunday, January 26, 2025, 4:00 P.M.
Ensemble Boulanger is a chamber music collaboration dedicated to salon concerts and celebrating historical women. The artists of EB also both happen to be singers in the Portland-based choir Cantores in Ecclesia, which will be traveling to Eastern Europe for a concert tour in June 2025. In celebration of this upcoming adventure (and in order to earn some extra travel cash), Hannah and Emma are offering a concert of music by composers from the countries Cantores will be visiting: Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
This salon recital will take place in Ascension’s charming Parlor, using our historic 19th-century Chickering parlor grand piano. You’ll hear music for voice and piano, piano solo, and piano duo by composers like Frédéric Chopin and Maria Szymanowska, along with engaging spoken commentary to make the music come to life!
Songs of Barbara Strozzi
Hannah Penn, mezzo soprano, accompanist, & speaker
Emma Cowell, soprano, accompanist, & speaker
Saturday, May 10, 2025, 4:00 P.M.
Join Dr. Hannah Penn (Willamette University) and Ascension music director Emma Cowell for a lecture-recital on the songs of iconoclastic Baroque singer and composer Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677). Strozzi was among the most prolific and successful Venetian composers of her time, and a brilliant writer for women’s voices - as well as a fearless and determined human being. The recital will be accompanied by Ascension’s Baroque-style tracker organ. A reception will follow the performance.
Last Season
Magical Operetta
featuring Light Opera of Portland
Laurence Cox, Artistic Director
Saturday, September 30, 2023, 4:00 P.M.
Light Opera of Portland returns to the Salon Series by popular demand! At this concert in Reinhart Hall, you'll hear excerpts from LOoP's Fall 2023 production of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Sorcerer, a hilarious romp sending up Victorian social mores. You'll also enjoy numbers from other light operas, including Pauline Viardot's Le dernier sorcier. Join us afterward for tea and biscuits! $20 suggested donation.
Christmas in the Parlor
fairy tales and carols
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 7:00 P.M.
Join us for an old-fashioned Christmas around the piano in our Parlor. This year's event draws on the charming British tradition of Christmas pantos - cheerful fairy tale theater for families. You'll hear classical music inspired by fairy tales, including music by Pauline Viardot, Florence Price, and Maurice Ravel. We'll also invite the audience to sing along with favorite carols, and enjoy a cookie sampler! $15 suggested donation.
Mila Ortiz, mezzo soprano
Emma Riggle, piano
Please note that this concert’s time has been changed from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Jane Austen’s Parlor
featuring Ensemble Boulanger
Emma Mildred Riggle, soprano & lecturer | Hannah Brewer, piano
January 27, 2024, 4:00 P.M.
Portland-based Ensemble Boulanger is dedicated to house concerts and music by women. Join them for an exploration of music in Jane Austen's life and novels, in our lovely Parlor. You'll hear songs and piano music from Austen's time, including pieces from her personal music library, and we'll explore the role of music in the lives of women in Regency England. Tea and light refreshments will be served, and period costumes are welcome! $20 suggested donation.
From Cloister to Back Porch
Featuring Radix vocal ensemble
Amy Stuart Hunn, Artistic Director
April 14, 2024, 4:00 P.M.
The Salon Series welcomes Radix, an innovative women's vocal chamber ensemble based in Portland. Radix will present a concert in our historic Sanctuary, directed by Dr. Amy Stuart Hunn. The program, inspired by communal singing traditions, will include music by Hildegard von Bingen and Imogen Holst; selections from the medieval Spanish Codex Las Huelgas; Ladino & Yiddish folksongs, and more.
Tickets:
$20 general admission
$8 students (13+)/seniors (65+)/limited income
FREE children 12 and under