Performers Have it Their Way at Old First Concerts

photo: Francis da Silva

Shoko Hikage performs with the Wooden Fish Ensemble
as part of the Old First Concerts series of performances held in January.

By Judith Kahn

At the Old First Presbyterian Church, the public can listen to such multi-talented musicians as Dennis Lee, playing the "Sonata in F Minor" on the piano, or the Gold Coast Chamber Players, with Daniel Shapiro or David Burgess, playing the works of celebrated Brazilian composers on guitar.

Old  First Concerts  is  celebrating its  35th  anniversary this year. It is traditional, in Europe, to hold concerts in churches because the high ceilings and hardwood surfaces of the structures allow the sound to reflect, making it acoustically perfect.

The architecture at the Old First Church, with its 50-foot-tall ceiling, is no exception. The church dates back to 1849 and is the oldest Presbyterian church in California.

Although chamber music is predominant, other types of concerts are performed, ranging from solos to quartet chamber performances in folk, Celtic, blues, bluegrass and jazz music. The major requirement for any performance given at Old First is that the music genre is appropriate and its instruments fit acoustically.

The concert series at Old First Concerts has become known as a place for musicians to expand and explore their musical talents.

William Bowles, a Richmond District resident and the director  of the concert series, takes  pride in the fact that they  make a conscious effort to introduce new compositions and artists to the public. One upcoming concert, scheduled for Feb. 4, at 8 p.m., features Thomas Schultz on piano performing the music of Rzewski, Schubert, Stockhausen and Liszt.

Old First Concerts is "one of the best kept secrets in town," Bowles said.

Pastor Bodo, once a pastor of Old First and a cellist, started the concerts in the basement of the church by inviting musicians, actors and dancers to perform. Although the actors' and dancers' performances have stopped, the concerts have continued for 35 years. Old First Church gives nearly 80 concerts throughout the year. They are performed on most Fridays at 8 p.m. and most Sundays at 4 p.m. Ticket prices range from $12 to $15. There is also a ticket discount program. With the purchase of five tickets, there is a 10 percent discount and with the purchase of 10 tickets there is a 20 percent discount. The tickets are good for a 12-month period and are good for admission to any concert, with the exception of specially-priced concerts.   Validated parking is available at the Old First parking garage at 1725 Sacramento St. (between Van Ness Avenue and Polk Street).

Musicians who presently perform at Old First Concerts are well-seasoned, world-class musicians. Some have won international awards and all are experienced concert performers.

Old First is a non-profit organization which receives 40 percent of its funding from ticket sales and 30 percent from private donations. 

Bowles is very grateful also for the support received from the following organizations: Grants for the Arts, from the San Francisco Hotel Tax fund; William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation; and Stanley A. Ibler, Jr. Memorial Fund of Music. Like many non-profit organizations, Old First Church is understaffed and the help of volunteers is needed to put on the shows.

Bowles says  more volunteers on-board would  stabilize the organization  by  developing  a stronger promotional  program and  a more expansive  fundraising  campaign

Bowles has been the director of Old First Concerts for two years. He is thrilled when he pulls together a successful concert.

"It is really satisfying," he remarked.

Directing programs is not new to Bowles. Prior to becoming director of the Old First Church Concerts, he was an administrator for the SF Opera Company. He also worked as the technical director for the Eugene Oregon Ballet Company and was once production manager for the Eugene Opera Company. He himself is a percussion musician.

Bowles looks forward to continuing to offer timeless favorites from the standard repertoire of chamber music and new compositions.

For more information, call Old first Concerts at (415) 474-1608 or go to their web site at www.oldfirstconcerts.org.