Benefit Concert: A Program of Sacred and Secular Solos and Duets
SHARON, CONNECTICUT- Renowned musicians Jon Lafleur, Marthe Ryerson, and Donna Castanar will be coming together for a special concert to raise funds for various Community Outreach Services. The performance will occur on November 12, 2023, at Christ Church Episcopal in Sharon, Connecticut. The concert aims to create awareness and contribute to the local community by supporting and strengthening Outreach in Sharon. The event promises to be an unforgettable afternoon filled with music and heartfelt performances.
“We are incredibly excited to join forces with these extraordinary talents for such a worthy cause,” said Joanie Yahn, Christ Church Episcopal’s Senior Warden. “By coming together through the power of music, we hope to positively impact the lives of those in need and have a lovely afternoon of music.”
The benefit concert will begin at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and $50 per family. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 860-364-5260 for more information.
Marthe Ryerson, soprano, received her degree in voice performance from Western Connecticut State University. She has been a soloist with the Rutland Chorale Society, Danbury Music Center’s Charles Ives tribute concerts, Charis, and the Fairfield Country Chorale. She held the position of Soprano Soloist and Section leader at St. Peter’s R.C. Church in Danbury for sixteen years, where she had the opportunity to expand her oratorio repertoire. Marth is also a violinist. She has been a member of the Danbury Symphony the Candlewood Chamber Players and has enjoyed working as a studio vocalist and violinist for a range of projects. Marthe teaches violin privately in Litchfield and Fairfield Counties.
Donna Marie Castanar, soprano, and Harper, is the Soloist and Harper at Christ Church in Sharon and provides weekly solos for First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Mill Creek, PA. She is the second soprano section leader and soloist with Crescendo. She is a Certified Total Vocal Freedom Coach and is studying with The Heart of God Harpers to earn her certification as a therapeutic Harper. Donna Marie brings healing music to those in need of palliative care and for life-cycle and celebration of life ceremonies and brings her music to The Fountains at Millbrook and other Residential Assisted Living communities. She serves as a volunteer and End-of-Life Doula for Hudson Valley Hospice.
Jon Lafleur, accompanist, introduced both singers to Christ Church. He conducted Marthe when she was the soloist in a six-school chorale festival Jon founded. Marthe was the soprano in a Messiah Sing-In, which he conducted. Jon and Donna Marie met when they worked together at St. John’s Washington, his church before Sharon. He substituted at 60 churches in the U.S. and Europe. Jon accompanied choirs from Trumbull High School in Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague in 2010. International Travel News has printed his stories about trips to Europe.
