Cellist Noelle Casella Grand and pianist Sebastian Grand will perform a free concert at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 10 Chapel Road, New Hope, at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The husband-and-wife duo are internationally acclaimed musicians and local favorites who draw large crowds to their performances. The May 13 concert will be their sixth appearance at St. Philip’s in as many years.
The couple direct the Grand School of Music in Buckingham Township. The school offers specialized musical instruction by world-recognized musicians and teachers.
Since its founding seven years ago, the Grand School has provided instruction to hundreds of area students. Pupils have recently participated in the Philadelphia International Music Festival and the Philadelphia Young Pianists’ Academy.
American cellist Noelle Casella Grand graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London and studied at Sarah Lawrence College and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
Raised in Guernsey, near the French coast, pianist and conductor Sebastian Grand is a first-class graduate of the Joint Course between the University of Manchester and the Royal Northern College of Music. He received a master’s degree with distinction from the Royal Academy of Music.
He conducts the Ripieno Ensemble of the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County and is entering his second season as assistant conductor of the Bucks County Symphony Orchestra. He is also on the adjunct faculty of Lafayette College.
They will perform a concert of “French Reflections” including: Debussy “Cello Sonata I Prologue,” Faure “Elegie,” Ravel: “Pavane pour une Infant Defunte,” Lalo “Chants Russe,” Poulenc “Cello Sonata II,” Cavatine Satie “Trois Gymnopedies,” Saint-Saens “Cello Concerto I, Allegro non-troppo,” Saint-Saens “Allegro Appasionato French.”
The concert is part of the Music at St. Philip’s 2023 series. The concerts are open to the public, and admission is free. A freewill offer will be taken for the artists and for the outreach of the church.
For information, visit www.stphilipsnewhope.org.
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