2025-2026 Music Season

From masterful organ recitals and major choral works, to guest performances by internationally-renowned musicians, this season’s programming reflects Riverside’s ongoing commitment to artistic excellence and spiritual enrichment.

All performances are subject to change, postponement, or cancellation.

Special Events

Special Events

Sunday, April 26 at 3pm
Brunch with Jazz Legend Cyrus Chestnut
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Come enjoy a soulful Sunday of world-class music, complete with a delicious brunch! Join us for an unforgettable Jazz Brunch with legendary pianist Cyrus Chestnut, whose signature style that blends gospel, classical, and straight-ahead jazz. With a career spanning decades, Cyrus Chestnut has earned acclaim from critics and peers alike for his soulful, virtuosic performances and lasting impact on the world of contemporary jazz. Don’t miss this chance to experience a living legend in an intimate, vibrant setting.


Sunday, May 3 at 1pm
Spring Concert and Family Luncheon
The Rising Voices and Youth Choir; Matthew Hommez, director
The Cherub Choir; Sharon Prichard, director
The Riverside Community String Ensemble; Kristina Giles, director

This concert is presented free of charge. Tickets are not required.

Enjoy an afternoon of music and fellowship as we celebrate Riverside’s young musicians. The Rising Voices and Youth Choir, Cherub Choir, and Riverside Community String Ensemble join together to present a joyful program of diverse musical selections from around the world.


Tuesday, May 12 at 7pm
Organ Recital: Stephen Tharp
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Artist in Residence Stephen Tharp performs a solo recital on the historic organ at The Riverside Church.  Hailed as “the organist for the connoisseur” (organ – Journal für die Orgel, Germany), “the thinking person’s performer” (Het Orgel), “every bit the equal of any organist” (The American Organist” magazine) and “the consummate creative artist” (Michael Barone, Pipedreams), is recognized as one of the great concert organists of our age. Having played more than 1600 concerts across more than 60 tours worldwide, Stephen Tharp has built one of the most well-respected international careers in the world, earning him the reputation as the most traveled concert organist of his generation.


Sunday, June 7 at 3pm
House of Time: The Father, The Son, and The Godfather
Gonzalo X. Ruiz, baroque oboe, recorder, and guitar
Tatiana Daubek, baroque violin
Eliott Figg, harpsichord
Matt Zucker, baroque cello and gamba
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Join House of Time on a musical exploration of an extended family of geniuses: Johann Sebastian Bach, his son CPE Bach, and George Telemann, the elder Bach’s friend and CPE’s godfather. You’ll hear sublime chamber works from JS Bach, as well as Telemann’s Paris Quartet in E Minor. The younger Bach’s “Sanguineus et Melancholicus” is a brilliant and witty musical dialogue between an optimist and a pessimist.


Sunday, June 14 at 3pm
Rooted
Liz Lang, soprano
Matthew Krenz, tenor

This concert is presented free of charge. Tickets are not required.

Two voices, many homelands. Vocalists Matt Krenz and Liz Lang invite you on a genre-spanning musical map of identity. From Arabic melodies and German Lieder to Hungarian folk songs and unexpected crossovers, this intimate recital weaves together languages, traditions, and personal histories in a celebration of where we come from – and where we’re going.

Summer Organ Series

Summer Organ Series

This annual series features some of the world’s most outstanding organists performing on Riverside’s famed Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, one of the most magnificent instruments in the world. Each performance is preceded by a Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon recital at 6:30 pm.


Tuesday, June 16
Nathaniel Gumbs
Director of Music, The Riverside Church

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Tuesday, June 23
Ahreum Congdon
Director of Music & Organist, First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth, TX

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Tuesday, June 30
Paul Byssainthe, Jr.
Associate Organist, The Riverside Church

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Tuesday, July 14
Christopher Houlihan
College Organist, Director of Chapel Music, and Artist-in-Residence, Trinity College, Hartford, CT

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Tuesday, July 21
Renée Anne Louprette
Assistant Professor of Music; College Organist, Bard College

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Choral Events

Choral Events

 

 

Sunday, March 29 at 3pm
Crown and Cross: A Passion Sunday Concert
The Riverside Choir, Soloists, & Orchestra; Dr. Nathaniel Gumbs, conductor

This event has concluded

Experience the Passion of Christ brought vividly to life by The Riverside Choir, Soloists, and Orchestra. Johann Sebastian Bach’s Palm Sunday cantata Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, ushers in Holy Week with reverent joy, while Margaret Bonds’ Simon Bore the Cross — once thought to be lost — offers a poignant reflection on Christ’s suffering and sacrifice through the rich lens of African American musical tradition. Together, these works invite listeners to feel the profound weight and beauty of the Passion.

Holy Week & Easter

Holy Week & Easter

Sunday, March 29 at 11am
Palm Sunday Worship Service

Sunday, March 29 at 3pm
Crown and Cross: A Passion Sunday Concert
The Riverside Choir, Soloists, & Orchestra; Dr. Nathaniel Gumbs, conductor

Thursday, April 2 at 5:30pm
Maundy Thursday Service of Communion, Dinner & Foot Washing

Thursday, April 2 at 7pm
Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service

Friday, April 3 at 12pm
A Good Friday Service of Love Made Public

Saturday, April 4 at 12pm
Holy Saturday Labyrinth Walk

Sunday, April 5 at 11am
Resurrection Sunday Worship Service
with choir, organ, and brass

Advent & Christmas

Advent & Christmas

Sunday, December 14 at 4:00pm
Candlelight Carol Festival
The Riverside Choir; Dr. Nathaniel Gumbs, director
The Inspirational Choir; Nedra Olds Neal, director
The Riverside Ringers; Daniel Potter, director
The Rising Voices and Youth Choir; Matthew Hommez, director
The Riverside Youth Choir; Matthew Hommez, director 

Sunday, December 21 at 11am
The Riverside Church School Christmas Pageant
Matthew Hommez, director

Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Eve Services
4pm | Service for Children and Families
7pm | Service of Lessons and Carols

Wednesday, December 31 at 11pm
New Year’s Eve Watch Night Service
10:30pm | Carillon Recital
11pm | Service of Worship