A CELTIC MASS AT THE SALISBURY CHURCH

On Friday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m. the Salisbury Church will host a special musical event. Vermont composer Sam Guranaccia has created musical settings for a poetic text entitled “A Celtic Mass for Peace, Songs for the Earth,” written by J. Philip Newell. Guarnaccia has trained and performed as a classical guitarist in Europe and the United States and taught on the music faculties at the University of Denver, Middlebury College, and UVM. The Scottish-based Newell, an internationally celebrated poet, theologian, peacemaker, and former warden of Iona Abbey, wrote the text on the shores of Lake Champlain. Recorded by musicians from Scotland and the United States, the Mass has been performed in Iona, Edinburgh, Cincinnati, Lexington, and Shelburne. The Salisbury performance will include accomplished instrumental and vocal musicians from the Champlain Valley.

This will be the fourth event in Salisbury’s thirty-sixth annual Summer Performance Series, which will continue on Friday evenings through August 7 at the historic but handicapped accessible church in Salisbury Village. Although the church tower will be scaffolded for repairs during this season, the sanctuary will still be readily entered through the front doors and the on-grade rear entrance. Admission is free. A free-will donation in support of the series will be appreciated.