The community is invited to a gala benefit concert offered at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14 at The Congregational Church of New Canaan at 23 Park Street, New Canaan. A festive reception in Smith Hall will follow after the concert, hosted by the church’s Music Ministry Team. There is no admission charge for this event.

The program will include a lively variety of music that will entertain all ages and musical tastes. Broadway, opera, jazz, and popular repertoire will be presented by the Chancel Choir, its professional section leaders, and the Spirit Singers and Joyful Noise choirs.

The benefit is now in its tenth year and is organized by director of music ministries Dr. Jo Deen Blaine Davis, who recently remarked, “This is a great way to enjoy fellowship and musical favorites, and to highlight the abundance of extraordinary local musical talent. It’s an evening that old and young alike will enjoy.”

Solos will be performed by the church’s professional section leaders Nancy Upton, Anne Maguire, Antonio Abate, Aram Tchobanian, Andy Berry, and Antonio Watts; some of whom have sung solo and title roles at The Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera, as well as oratorio and solo work with orchestras and theater companies throughout the United States and Europe. Also included are sopranos Claire Stadtmueller and director of children’s music, Noëlle Francis.

This is a free concert, and all are welcome! A free-will offering will be taken, with proceeds benefitting the church’s Mary Bradley Clarke music fund, which was established in 1973 by the wife of former minister Rev. Merrill Fowler Clarke to provide singers and instrumentalists for special musical programs held at the church throughout the year.