The usual life span for a leaded stained glass window is considered to be 100 years; ours are over 126 years old and their age is showing.

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SUNDAY APRIL 5, 2009 at 5 p.m.
Benefit concert features "Zoe's Musical Fairy Tale, Upon A Time", by Zoe Vandermeer, music director at St. John's

Tickets are available at the door, or in advance by calling the Church office at 860.354.5583

FORGIVENESS in a FAIRY TALE
Compared to Phantom of the Opera, Into the Woods, Narnia, and Grimm's Fairy Tales, Zoe's Musical Fairy Tale, Upon A Time, written and composed by Zoe Vandermeer, is a story about a boy in search of the Golden Key - a Key that will be able to unlock the palace gate making it possible for him to rescue Serafina from the Cruel King! A riveting tale, the story weaves a web of enchantment and wonder, while at the same time challenges the listener to consider the real meaning of forgiveness, as so poignantly portrayed in the song 'Murderer's Lullaby', when the Cruel King is drowning, finally realizing what he has done, asking for forgiveness, like a child. A fitting theme for Palm Sunday.

NEW YORK CITY SINGERS
A cast of eleven, the fabulous singers from New York City (Karen Jolicoeur, Lars Woodul, Ruth Ann Cunningham, Madeline Abel-Kerns, Brian Kerns) are joined by Connecticut singers Haley Latorre, age 8 (Simsbury), Kelly Whitesell, age 12 (Hebron), Courtney Brock (Hartford) Marinne Dibble (Hartford), Steven Crawford, pianist/conductor, and composer Zoe Vandermeer, who will be singing and playing her celtic harp.

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Karen Jolicoeur	Lars Woodul	Madeline Abel-Kerns
Haley Latorre	Steven Crawford	Zoe Vandermeer
Ruth Ann Cunningham	Kelly Whitesell	Brian Kerns

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS at ST. JOHN'S
The stained glass windows gracing St. John’s Episcopal Church were made by Edward Colgate of New York. The main window of the nave is in five panels. The center panel displays a pelican with her young: the oldest symbol is Charity. On each side are the symbols of Faith and Hope, shown by an anchor and a cross. At the base of the center window is the Lamb, at the top, the Crown. In the side windows are the symbols of the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Chancel window is in three panels, and is a memorial to Miss Cornelia Boardman, who donated the land for this church. The central panel depicts the Ascension and the side windows show the Angles of the Resurrection.

The usual life span for a leaded stained glass window is considered to be 100 years; ours are over 126 years old and their age is showing. The lead has long since crystallized and pulled away from the glass in many cases. The windows have been professionally inspected and a priority restoration list has been created by Dragon Fly Studios.

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REVIEWS
Zoe is so interesting that we named a character on our Just Plain Folks T-shirts after her. (See the Harpist). Her Operatic CD 'Murderer's Lullaby' [selections from Upon A Time], is both shocking and exciting. Shifting from intensity to tranquility and back, it is truly innovative and unique. Think Sweeney Todd with 10x the intensity. A great deal of thought and creative expertise went into putting this together.'
- Brian Austin Whitney, Just Plain Folks International Singer/Songwriter Organization

‘Zoe’s Musical Fairy Tale, Upon A Time’ has been compared to the great 'Phantom of the Opera', and rightfully so. Intense and chilling opera meets pop rock, with classical, baroque and even renaissance threads woven throughout this highly orchestral collection of songs that tell of much more than the story of a boy who enters the Forbidden Forest in search of the Golden Key. Poetry in motion, Zoe mixes an endless array of character voices throughout this whimsical wonder, and any fan of beautifully enchanting contemporary opera where harp, harpsichord, cello, recorder and piano meet daring drums and electric guitars will certainly fall pleasantly victim to the genius found here. Take flight into the mystical land of Zoe and the inner child in you will be blanketed like only a classic fairy tale can do.' - Melyssa Harmon, Get Fancy Magazine 'Following the opera on NPR, I played 'Zoe's Musical Fairy Tale' in its entirety. It was a nice holiday reprieve and I was happy to have an opportunity to get Zoe out there.'
- Jenn B., radio host/ KGPR, Montana

'Here is a quick note from The Netherlands to let you know that I love your music. I came across your music while I was on vacation in America.'
- Maarten Avontuur, Holland

I was stunned...great compositions and a heavenly voice that gave me goose bumps. Zoe's great talent is excellent - something of the ultimate perfection.'
- Johnnie Zwaan, Miracle Band, Holland

'"Upon A Time" is just exquisite. I enjoyed it very much. A major theatrical and film production should be made of it.'
- Walter Hogue, San Mateo Convention Center, California

'Simply gorgeous. You create so many vivid moods with your composition, your playing and your singing. Breathtaking. And your mastery of form is awesome. For example, as the 'Murderer's Lullaby' has grown on me, I marvel at the simplicity and power of its form, with its transparent harmonic structure that matches the feelings so well and with those beautiful long forgiveness notes to which you build, finally letting the last one trail off early, the weary climax to the poor man's contrition. So sad and cathartic and in a major key, yet! I look forward to a full production of "Upon A Time", but I will always cherish this version, with you singing all of the parts and playing the accompaniments.'
- Dave Yost, California

'You are a delightful performer, and a magnificent singer and composer.'
- Cheryl King, NY Theatre Director

'You were dynamite as Goddess of the Deep!'
- Rob Chavez, California

'Positively enchanting! It IS a film score in search of a movie!'
- Linda Larsen, California

‘The beauty of Zoe’s music and words shined. What a treat for the audience...those glorious voices!’
- Alicia de la Hannah, East Bay Opera League

For more information:
860.354.1442 Zoe Vandermeer, Music Director
zoevandermeer@sbcglobal.net
www.zoesmusicalfairytaleuponatime.com