Music at Ascension

Music plays a vital role in the community of Ascension Memorial Church. A tradition of excellence goes back to the founding of the parish in the 19th century. Under the direction of Director of Music & Liturgy, Dr. Frank Corbin, the program features a wide variety of musical styles and genres appropriate for Episcopal services, and numerous opportunities for parishioners to participate.

The Choir of Ascension Memorial Church, open to all adults and high school age students, rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:30PM and sings for the regular 10:15am service on Sundays from September to June.

MUSIC AT ASCENSION presents REMEMBRANCES

In memory of all whom we love yet see no longer

Painting by Jim Murphy

If you would like to remember a loved one

by having his or her name printed in the program,

please email us the name(s) at

amcipswich@verizon.net

or call and leave a message at 978-356-2560.

Sunday, November 5, 2023, 4:00 PM

Ascension Memorial Church

31 County Street, Ipswich, MA

Frank Corbin, pianist & organist

The Choir of Ascension Memorial Church

Lucas Callahan & Lori Coppen, soloists

Program

Prelude in E minor, BWV 548 - J. S. Bach

Frank Corbin, organist

Deep River - arranged by Russell Robinson

The Road Home - arranged by Stephen Paulus

The Choir

Allerseelen - Richard Strauss

Lori Coppen, soprano

Rhapsody in B minor, Op 79, No 1 - Johannes Brahms

Frank Corbin, pianist

This Is My Wish for You - David Grimes

(from Three Songs for Sharon)

Lucas Callahan, baritone

Sure on This Shining Night - Morten Lauridsen

Agnus Dei from Lux Aeterna - Lauridsen

The Choir

Fugue in E minor, BWV 548 - J. S. Bach

Frank Corbin, organist

Concert - Frank Corbin, pianist & organist - Tuesday, May 23, 2023

In Memory of Alicia Moore and In Honor of Peter Moore

Click on the buttons below to listen to each selection.

About Frank Corbin

Frank Corbin has been Director of Music at Ascension Memorial Episcopal Church in Ipswich, MA since 2011. He was formerly Director of Music Ministry at Assumption College in Worcester, MA for 21 years, where he taught piano, music theory and organ, oversaw the college’s liturgical music program, and served as director of Humanarts, the college’s series of concerts, exhibitions, art history lectures, and literary readings.

Frank Corbin graduated from Oberlin in 1980 and was that year's recipient of the Selby Houston Award. He completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree and Performer’s Certificate at the Eastman School of Music in 1989 and holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati (M. Mus.), and Concordia University, Montréal (Diploma in Advanced Performance Studies). He has studied organ with William Porter, Bernard Lagacé, Roberta Gary, and  Russell Saunders, piano with Sedmara Rutstein and Robert Shannon, and harpsichord with Arthur Haas. A native of Springfield, Tennessee, he attended the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University during high school, where he studied organ with Peter Fyfe and piano with Enid Katahn.

Corbin has been a prize winner in national and international contests. His recording of works of César Franck, including The Three Chorals, appears on the Centaur label. He is also heard on the recording, Great Organs of Worcester, a 2-CD recording project he spearheaded featuring sixteen historic pipe organs in the city of Worcester, MA.

About the Music Director

A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, the Eastman School of Music, the University of Cincinnati, and Concordia University (Montréal), Frank Corbin has been Director of Music & Liturgy at Ascension Memorial Church since 2011.

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The Choir at Ascension

Led by Music Director Frank Corbin, the choir at Ascension is a vibrant, welcoming community of professional and non-professional singers. The Choir welcomes you to join us! No prior singing experience is necessary - just a love of music!

We invite you to listen to past recordings of the choir, using the button below!

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About the Organ

In 1974, a major addition to the parish arrived in the form of an organ by C.B. Fisk of Gloucester. The new Ascension organ was a ground-breaking instrument which continues to interest musicians, featuring warm flute and foundation stops that support both congregational singing and choral repertoire.

Please listen to an audio clip of this Fisk organ in action, played by Ascension Music Director, Dr. Frank Corbin.