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A Brief History of Its Mission
A precursor to the Patrons series was begun in the spring of 1985 with a series on noon concerts called Friday Fest. These concerts were initiated by Ms. Marty Cloninger Minister of Music at Ebenezer Lutheran Church from 1984 until 1991. The first official Patrons series began in fall of the same year with a continuation of the Friday Fest concerts, the December Abendmusik concert and additional performances that season. Patrons/Friends of the Arts was incorporated in 1986 as a non-profit organization with Ms. Cloninger serving as it’s coordinator. As the series matured and as funding was established through individual donors and corporate sponsors, the program began to include many internationally recognized artists. This was among the first full-fledged concerts series of its kind in Columbia and it has distinguished itself by always having had free admission for all events.
In 1991 Mr. James H. Johnson replaced Ms. Cloninger as Ebenezer’s Minster of Music and assumed the role of coordinator for the series. Soon thereafter, corporate sponsorship, heavily relied on as a main source of funding, began to dwindle. Although the series was now firmly established and had been well-received in the community, there were serious concerns for its future. However, through the generosity of individual donors and Mr. Johnson’s creative scheduling, Patrons survived and continued to provide outstanding cultural events to the community and beyond.
Shortly after Mr. Johnson resigned in 2008, the nationwide economic downturn began and the future of Patrons was in jeopardy. However, in August of 2009 when Thomas J. White was appointed (now as Cantor of Ebenezer), he assumed the oversight of the concert series. He continued Mr. Johnson’s creative approach but in addition, he opened up fresh avenues such as the introduction of a strong worship and arts component and by the use of more local talent (including musicians from Ebenezer’s talented congregation). The 2010-2011 series—the 25th anniversary year— is emblematic of this revitalization through its combination of internationally known artists and its highlighting of local talent. This combination and of the creative use of music and worship arts makes for an experience that is truly unique.
All events sponsored by Patrons/Friends of the Arts at Ebenezer, Inc. still remain free and open to the public.
Patrons/Friends Concert Listing
Season 1985-1986
October 11, 1985 ---- Friday Fest featuring Dr. Donald Busarow, organ;
George D. Hoffman, tenor; Susan Owens, flute; Meredith Mitchell, oboe
October 13, 1985 ---- Hymn Festival with Dr. Donald Busarow, organ
October 18, 1985 ---- Friday Fest featuring John Stirewalt, bass; MartyCloninger, piano
October 25, 1985 ---- Friday Fest featuring Dr. James Kibbie, organ; Dr. J. Benjamin Bedenbaugh, narrator
October 25, 1985 ---- James Kibbie, concert organist
November 1, 1985 ---- Friday Fest featuring Dr. A. Keith Amstutz, trumpet; Marty Cloninger, organ
November 8, 1985 ---- Friday Fest featuring Daniel P. Hannemann, harpsichord
November 10, 1985 ---- Tower Brass Quintet
November 15, 1985 Friday Fest featuring Paul Jersild, violin; Marilyn Jersild, piano
December 8, 1985 ---- Abendmusik featuring Ebenezer Lutheran Church Choir
February 14, 1986 ---- Marilyn Mason, organ
Season 1986-1987
October 24, 1986 ---- Wilanow String Quartet
November 12, 1986 ---- Tower Brass Quintet
March 23, 1987 ---- Wittenberg Choir
Season 1987-1988
June 21, 1987 ---- Canterbury Cathedral Choir (England)
September 20, 1987 ---- Benefit for AIDS Research featuring Phillip M. Jenkins, tenor; The Rev. Dr. Paul Jersild, violin; Marilyn Jersild, piano; Mount Tabor Lutheran Church Bach Quartet; Marty Cloninger, organ
October 18, 1987 ---- Tower Brass Quintet
December 13, 1987 ---- Joseph M. Galema, Jr., organ
April 13, 1988 ---- Newberry College Singers
April 18, 1988 ---- University of South Carolina Chamber Orchestra featuring Young Uck Kim, violin
Season 1988-1989
October 25, 1988 ---- Palmetto Mastersingers
November 14, 1988 ---- University of South Carolina Chamber Orchestra
January 8, 1989 ---- Chanticleer
April 2, 1989 ---- Salisbury Cathedral Choir (England)
Season 1989-1990
November 14, 1989 ---- Parris Island Marine Band Brass Choir
December 11, 1989 ---- Spring Valley High School Wind Ensemble with Marty Cloninger, organ
February 11, 1990 ---- Palmetto Brass
April 29, 1990 University of South Carolina Women’s Chorus
Season 1990-1991
December 9, 1990 ---- César Franck Masterworks for Organ featuring Dr. James Kibbie, organ
March 17, 1991 ---- Wittenberg Choir
April 20, 1991 ---- Promised Land, a Musical
Season 1991-1992
June 22, 1991 ---- National Lutheran Choir
December 11, 1991 ---- Hurstpierpoint College Choir (Sussex, England)
Season 1992-1993
September 14, 1992 ---- Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (England)
November 15, 1992 ---- C.J. Sambach, organ
January 19, 1993 ---- Singing Boys of Pennsylvania
February 14, 1993 ---- Christopher Berg, classical guitar
March 5-6, 1993 ---- Mountain Dulcimer Workshop
March 21, 1993 ---- A Bach “Birthday Bash” featuring Akal Dev Sharonne, flute; Daniel Hannemann, harpsichord
Season 1993-1994
September 9, 1993 ---- Choir of Clare College, Cambridge (England)
November 7, 1993 ---- Palmetto Brass
February 25, 1994 ---- Adam Gilbert and Friends Early Music Consort
March 24, 1994 ---- Columbia Youth Chorale in Concert
Season 1994-1995
September 8-9, 1994 ---- Music and Movement in Early Childhood with Lorna Lutz Heyge, PhD
September 20, 1994 ---- Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (England)
November 6, 1994 ---- Sonus (ensemble for early music)
February 5, 1995 ---- Christopher Berg, classical guitar
March 20, 1995 ---- Wittenberg Choir
May 7, 1995 ---- Atlanta Boy Choir
Season 1995-1996
September 17, 1995 ---- Hallelujah Singers
November 5, 1995 ---- Palmetto Brass
March 17, 1996 ---- Carthage Choir Concert of Sacred Music
April 18, 1996 ---- Guildford Cathedral Choir (Surrey, England)
Season 1996-1997
September 22, 1996 ---- Charleston ProMusica
October 20, 1996 ---- American Arts Trio
February 23, 1997 ---- Christopher Berg, lute
April 12, 1997 ---- Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (England)
Season 1997-1998
September 28, 1997 ---- Sandlapper Singers
November 9, 1997 ---- Rossignol Duo featuring Christopher Berg and Hazel Ketchum, lute, guitar and voice
January 25, 1998 ---- Upton Trio
February 27-28, 1998---- Mountain Dulcimer Workshop
March 9, 1998 ---- Yale University Russian Chorus
April 25, 1998 ---- All Saints Episcopal Choir of Men and Boys
Season 1998-1999
September 27, 1998 ---- Palmetto Brass
November 22, 1998 ---- Heritage Chamber Singers with Nancy Smith, organ and Aurora Brass
January 17, 1999 ---- Christopher Teves, classical guitar
March 12, 1999 ---- New England Spiritual Ensemble
April 25, 1999 ---- Greater Columbia and Kershaw County Children’s Choirs
Season 1999-2000
September 26, 1999 ---- Carolina Baroque
October 26, 1999 ---- Gottingen Boys Choir, (Germany)
February 27, 2000 ---- National Lutheran Choir
May 7, 2000 ---- Lenior Rhyne Youth Chorale
Season 2000-2001
October 26, 2000 ---- Chapelle du Roi, English Choral Music (England)
December 3, 2000 ---- South Carolina Lutheran Bach Choir with the Palmetto Brass
January 28, 2001 ---- Ray Dudley, piano
March 25, 2001 ---- Spivey Hall Children’s Choir
Season 2001-2002
October 14, 2001 ---- Christopher Berg, classical guitar and lute
December 9, 2001 ---- Palmetto Mastersingers
February 10, 2002 ---- ensemble amarcord (Germany)
April 14, 2002 ---- Carolina Baroque
Season 2002-2003
September 29, 2002 ---- Sandlapper Singers
November 10, 2002 ---- Upton Trio
March 30, 2003 ---- Rodolfus Choir (England)
May 4, 2003 ---- Boy Choir of the Carolinas
Season 2003-2004
September 13, 2003 ---- ensemble amarcord (Germany)
November 9, 2003 ---- Rossignol Duo featuring Christopher Berg and Hazel Ketchum, lute and voice
February 8, 2004 ---- Saint Louis Brass Quintet
April 3, 2004 ---- Eton College Choir (England)
Season 2004-2005
October 10, 2004 ---- Spivey Hall Children’s Choir
November 14, 2004 ---- Carolina Pro Musica
February 20, 2005 ---- Bach Choir of Holy Trinity (New York)
April 16, 2005 ---- Rodolfus Choir (England)
Season 2005-2006
October 21, 2005 ---- Gloucester Cathedral Choir (England)
November 13, 2005 ---- Ensemble Chaconne
March 5, 2006 ---- Shorter Chorale
May 21, 2006 ---- Palmetto Brass and Friends
Season 2006-2007
October 22, 2006 ---- Bach Choir of Holy Trinity (New York)
February 11, 2007 ---- Saint Louis Brass
March 25, 2007 ---- Cantus (men’s ensemble)
April 29, 2007 ---- All Saints Episcopal Men and Boys Choir
Season 2007-2008
October 30, 2007 ---- Affabre Concinui (The Polish Chamber Singers)
January 20, 2008 ---- Manhattan Piano Trio
February 10, 2008 ---- Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers, piano duo
March 30, 2008 ---- Rickards/Linell Duo, countertenor and lute
Season 2008-2009
October 30, 2008 ---- Gloriae Dei cantores
November 21, 2008 ---- John McCutcheon, folksinger
April 5, 2009 ---- Ina Faliks, piano
Season 2009-2010
November 1, 2009 ---- The Healing Harp – Music for All Saints featuring Rhett Barnwell, harp, Claire Teuber, soprano, Thomas J. White, organ
December 5, 2009 ---- Bach Advent Vespers featuring Ebenezer Lutheran Church Chancel Choir and Festival Bach Ensemble
February 7, 2010 ---- Kristen Wunderlich, soprano and Matthew Manwarren, piano
April 25, 2010 ---- Benedict College Concert Choir
Season 2010-2011
September 26, 2010 ---- Bob Bennett, singer/songwriter
November 14, 2010 ---- Appalachian Folk Mass
February 13, 2011 ---- Columbia Baroque Soloists
April 8, 2011 ---- ensemble amarcord (Germany)
Compiled by Diane Jones