Concerts on Colonial
The Concerts on Colonial Concert Series seeks to involve the community in experiencing different kinds of music that has the attributes to positively enrich lives balancing classical, jazz, and other quality genres from local and national artists with the highest quality possible while free and open to the public. Through this, we provide a service to the community of our sanctuary, musical instruments, and hospitality through which we open doors to our neighbors and to potential new members.
Save the Date
John Maurer, Trumpeter & Nate Petley, Accompanist
Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 3 p.m.
John Maurer is a critically acclaimed trumpet and flugelhorn artist as well as a highly respected music educator, who travels, performs and teaches throughout North America. John is the Lecturer of Trumpet at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania where he teaches Applied Trumpet, Applied Jazz Trumpet and High Brass Methods. He is also one of the lead Teaching Artists at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, New York, the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
As a soloist, John has performed in various venues including the Arizona Biltmore, Xfinity Mobile Arena, Bryce Jordan Center, the Lincoln Center - Alice Tully Hall, PPL Center, Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Curtis Institute of Music and the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada. In 2014 and 2015, John was given the opportunity to perform in a musical and cultural exploration tour of Cuba; traveling from Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad and Havana. In March 2014, John was selected as a semi-finalist for the “National Trumpet Competition". From 2015 to 2016, John held the trumpet chair at the American Music Theatre located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. John has also performed as a soloist for public figures such as The Reverend Jesse L. Jackson and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
Maurer’s rendition of, “The Star-Spangled Banner” has been nationally recognized, and he has performed the United States National Anthem for the NASCAR Xfinity Series at the Pocono Raceway, the Drum Corps International Eastern Classic, and for such teams as the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Wings, and many many more.
John has shared the stage and recorded with many known musicians such as Juma Sultan, Jens Lindemann, Howard Johnson, Awadagin Pratt, Eddie Henderson, Slide Hampton, Les Brown, Jr., and Dan Tepfer.
As an educator, Maurer has conducted a number of residencies and masterclasses in many renowned colleges and universities such as Misericordia University, Millersville University, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster Bible College, Elizabethtown College, SUNY - Purchase, University of Richmond, Weber State University and Arkansas State University. He has also been featured by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (P.M.E.A.) as a guest clinician for a number of festivals.
Maurer graduated as the trumpet graduate assistant at the Pennsylvania State University with his master’s degree in Trumpet Performance and received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. John had the honor of studying under Larry Davidson, Dr. Langston J. Fitzgerald, III, Dr. N. Keith Wiley, Jumaane Smith and Wynton Marsalis.
John’s debut album, “Songs For My Son” was released in 2018 and has been praised in reviews by the International Trumpet Guild and texture. It is available for streaming worldwide. He exclusively uses “Pickett Brass" mouthpieces and "Gard Bags".
John now happily lives in North Eastern Pennsylvania with his wife and two sons. Along with being a musician and educator, he is an advocate for autism acceptance and is on the Board of Directors for the Pike Autism Support Services of NEPA, Inc. (PASS) John is also an amateur triathlete, having been a member of Team Zoot since 2024.
Yu & I
November 8, 2026 at 3 p.m.
Winners of the prestigious Beverly Hills National Auditions, YuEun Gemma Kim and Ines Thomé, share a remarkable story that began a decade ago. Back then, they were two aspiring musicians from different corners of the globe, YuEun from Korea and Ines from Germany. Serendipitously, they became housemates in a charming Victorian spot in Los Angeles while studying at USC's Thornton School of Music. Their instant connection stemmed from a shared passion for chamber music and a mutual love for delectable Korean cuisine.
Over the years, their artistic partnership has flourished, captivating audiences across the United States with their magnetic stage presence and consummate musicality. YuEun and Ines stand as accomplished soloists, each boasting a collection of accolades in their respective instruments that has carried them to stages around the world. Their repertoire spans the ages, from evocative renditions of early music performed on period instruments to innovative arrangements of popular music executed with the highest level of artistry.
Yu&I duo's musical journey has enhanced prestigious venues and events across the nation, including The Blue Hill Concert Association, UCLA's Bruman Chamber Music Festival, Knoxville Guitar Society, The Sacramento Chamber Music Society, and The Pamlico Musical Society, among many others. In the current season, Yu&I embarks on an extensive U.S. tour, encompassing more than 20 cities. The culmination of their journey comes in the form of their debut album, "A Journey with Yu&I," set to release in April 2024. This album promises a mesmerizing fusion of folk-inspired melodies from their respective homelands, South Korea and Germany. In Yu&I's concerts, expect an electrifying yet soothing experience—an exploration of tradition that pushes the boundaries of musical expression. https://yuandiduo.com/home.
Silver, Wood and Ivory
December 6, 2026 at 3 p.m.
Silver, wood, and ivory are three creations of beauty found in nature. When you add the musical inspirations of Tracy Dietrich and Cindy Wittenberg, “Silver, Wood & Ivory” transform into a celestial musical journey.
Tracy Dietrich, the Silver and Wood of the duo, was born with the gift of perfect pitch. She says that playing music came as second nature to her from the time she was a child. Tracy has played other instruments, but it’s the flute that has captured the passion of her musical voice. Tracy has mastered nineteen different flutes and recorders ranging from the most primitive to the most sophisticated. These intricate varieties of flutes compliment her unique style.
Cindy Wittenberg, the Ivory of the pair, grew up in a musical family with a classically trained mother. She began playing the piano at the age of four and began formal training by the age of eight. Cindy also learned to play the organ and the bassoon which allows her to draw from her symphonic experiences when composing music.
Together, this two-person orchestra of classically trained artists have fashioned a tapestry of music that stirs the soul. Tracy and Cindy both have instrumental performance degrees: Tracy from Indiana University of PA, and Cindy from Elizabethtown College and Peabody Conservatory. Whether it’s a familiar song that causes memories to come flooding back or a new melody that creates a sense of calm, Silver Wood & Ivory has created a body of work that will satisfy everyone’s melodic appetite.
https://www.silverwoodandivory.com/
Hershey Handbell Ensemble
April 25, 2027 at 3 p.m.
Formed in 2004, this auditioned community handbell ensemble performs in south-central Pennsylvania seasonally during April & December. It was established to fulfill the need for an auditioned community ensemble comprised of persons able to play advanced literature and interested in advancing the art of handbell ringing through education and performance, while uniting people through the musical arts. Ringers representing seven south-central PA counties, perform on seven and a half octaves of Malmark handbells, six octaves of Malmark Choirchimes, four octaves of Petit & Fritsen handbells, and two octaves of Schulmerich Silver Melody Bells. They’ve played in churches, nursing homes, and even the White House in 2015. The group numbers fifteen on a regular basis, and is under the direction of Artistic Director, Dr. Shawn Gingrich.
