sharing quality live music along the susquehanna river
"Music by the River" is a Cathedral-supported concert series that brings diverse musical artists to St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral, aiming to highlight the historic venue's unique acoustic qualities and beautiful performance space. Hosting free and ticketed events each season, the series features professional soloists, choirs, and chamber ensembles from both the sacred and secular realms.
2026-2027 SEASON
DECEMBER 5, 2026 @ 7:30PM
For over 45 years, Voices of the Valley has been bringing high-level choral music both to its roots in South-Central Pennsylvania and across state lines. With its origins as the Alumni Chorale of Lebanon Valley College in 1978, the group has continuously excelled under the leadership of founding director Dr. Pierce Getz and current maestro Gregg Mauroni. The ensemble has been invited to perform in Alice Tully Hall in New York City, for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association conference, the Central Pennsylvania Choral Festival, and the National Cathedral, not to mention several performances with the Harrisburg Symphony in presentations of Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s Symphony No.9, Mozart’s Requiem, and Dona Nobis Pacem by Ralph Vaughn Williams. We welcome them back to St. Stephen’s for a festive performance perfect for the Holiday season – our gift to you!
FREE ADMISSION
JANUARY 31, 2027 @ 3PM
Founded on musical camaraderie and a passion for brass quintet, Mainstreet Brass visits us from Bethlehem, PA to provide an entertaining afternoon of music ranging from fanfare to jazz. The group is comprised of Kevin Long and Ed Hirschman on trumpet, Mark Syslo on French horn, Bryan Hay on trombone, Alex Costantino on tuba, and Steve Mathiesen on percussion. Established in 1986, the quintet has performed for enthusiastic audiences at arts festivals, colleges and concert series both on home soil and abroad. The ensemble is recognized for its refined playing, presenting engaging, accessible literature for all audiences and for actively commissioning new works and arrangements – most notably with choral composers Bob Chilcott, Walter Pelz, Steven Sametz, and Craig Courtney. Mainstreet Brass currently has 2 albums, “Christmas Spirit” and “By Request”. We’re excited for their return to the St. Stephen’s Music By the River series!
MARCH 21, 2027 @ 3PM
Sisters Natalie (cello) and Brittany Haas (fiddle) began their musical lives together, filling their childhood home with Bach suites and Old-Time tunes alike. In a whirlwind of music-making across the globe from Julliard to Saturday Night Live, the Haas sisters have risen both in talent and prestige. Now they define the forefront of the acoustic string music world, making a unique statement on fiddle & cello that defies any one genre. They invite you into their inner world of melody and groove with joyful new compositions that blur the boundaries between their shared fiddle traditions…it’s simultaneously Celtic, American, Scandinavian and yet completely original. This is new acoustic chambergrass at its finest – sibling harmony that will leave you feeling cozy and upbeat all at once. We invite them to Central Pennsylvania for an afternoon of music perfect for the month of March!
MAY 9, 2027 @ 4PM
Two of Philadelphia’s premier musicians, Erik (organ) and Anna Meyer (flute) bring a fresh and vibrant program highlighting the magical combination of flute and organ. As leading artists of their unique instrumentation, the pair released the album Fantasmagoria in 2019 – featuring a new depth of music for flute and organ that’s been described as “jazzy, liturgical, cunning, tender, and exuberant”. Serving both as educators and performers, the duo has been a guest artist at the South Jersey American Guild of Organists Regional Convention and the Philadelphia Chapter’s Kimmel Center Organ Day. Combining their talents of composition, pedagogical creation, musical collaboration, and excellence in performance, this “power couple” will provide an exciting end to our season!
TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS
PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets for the Mainstreet Brass, Natalie & Brittany Haas, and Æ Meyer Duo concerts can be purchased by clicking the link above – Voices of the Valley is free admission!
BECOME A SPONSOR
Becoming a season sponsor provides you with 2 tickets to each of our paid concerts and helps us continue our mission of sharing quality live music along the Susquehanna River!
Make A Donation
Can’t make the concerts, but want to support the Music by the River organization? Make a donation by clicking the link above. We appreciate your support!
PARKING & DIRECTIONS
Parking is EASY and FREE!
Free, accessible parking is available at the PHFA garage on North River street between Front and 2nd streets. An attendant will be at the entrance to assist you.
Street parking on 2nd, Locust, and Pine streets is free on Sundays and after 7pm on weekdays.
Directions:
From 81: Take the Front Street exit (downtown), turn left on Locust Street, then left on North River Street. The garage will be on your left.
From 83: Take the 2nd Street exit, turn left on Pine Street, left on Front Street, left on Locust Street, then left on North River Street. The garage will be on your left.
CONTACT US