While admission to the concert is free, donations will be accepted to benefit the Ron McEntire Scholarship Fund, which helps nurture the next generation of musicians. The free concert will feature distinguished organist Sonya Subbayya Sutton of Washington, D.C., and Chautauqua as well as a special Jamestown Concert Choir composed of Jamestown area choristers. Karen Hewes Suber, St. Luke’s director of music ministry, will also be performing on piano.

The program will span centuries of sacred music, including works by Bach, Widor, Martinson, and Howells, and will feature a rare piano/organ duet by composer Gerald Near. In addition to the music, Sutton will share stories about hymns and organ music in the Anglican tradition, offering audiences both inspiration and insight.

“Music has the power to connect us to our past while inspiring our future,” Suber said. “Hymn singing brings expansive connection, and this program is both a celebration of the Anglican musical tradition and a hope for continued renewal of choral collaboration in our community.”

Sutton has enjoyed a 40+ year career as a musician in the Episcopal Church. She currently serves as music director of the World Bank/IMF Chorus and frequently collaborates with instrumentalists as an accompanist and chamber musician. Sutton has directed choirs on eight European tours and cathedral residencies, enriching the global presence of Episcopal music.

Sonya Subbayya Sutton

Beyond performance, Sutton is a writer and storyteller who explores the intersection of life and the arts. She has published two audiobooks on Audible: Difficult Women…Legends Revised, featuring music and stories about French composer Mel Bonis, and Symphonic Preludes, a collection of 24 short stories inspired by the music of John Hausserman. Sutton earned degrees in piano, organ, and arts administration from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband, the Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton, retired Bishop of Maryland. They divide their time between Washington, D.C. and Chautauqua.

“The true heart of music in church for me is singing the hymns, and I’ve chosen a few – of oh so many – hymns that I think represent the glory of Anglican hymnody,” Sutton said. “It will be a joyful exploration of the music that makes our hearts sing.”

The St. Luke’s Episcopal Church choir is pictured