Bringing music to the community: Free concerts at Tenleytown church

Amit Peled is beyond excited for his chamber orchestra’s performance at Tenleytown’s St. Ann Catholic Church this Sunday, Oct. 5.

Peled, conductor and celloist for the Baltimore-based Mount Vernon Virtuosi, said the group loves to participate in events that serve the community. Peled said the orchestra is grateful to St. Ann for being invited back to participate in the concert series.

“It was only natural for us to say yes, because this serves exactly what we want, that anybody can step into this beautiful church and listen to our music,” Peled said.

St. Ann Catholic Church in Tenleytown is hosting its concert series on certain Sundays at 3 pm to showcase classical artists.

The concert series launched earlier this month. Held on certain Sundays starting at 3 p.m., the free concerts showcase classical artists.

It will run until June 2026 and features the series largest lineup of artists to date.

Jan Gallucci, a parishioner of St. Ann Catholic Church, said she attends as many of the concerts as she can. Gallucci said that there is a good turnout at most of the concerts.

“It’s quite a large turnout. It doesn’t fill every seat, but I’ve come sometimes where I had to sit in the back,” Gallucci said.

Peled said the music can connect people. Music is a language like English, Russian, and Hebrew, and it’s one of the most understanding languages, he said.

“[Music as a language is] really the only language that’s not suggested, but forces the player to listen to one another,” Peled said.

The Washington Men’s Camerata also is participating in this year’s series. Scott Tucker, the group’s artistic director, said that this is the first time the D.C.-based chorus is participating.

“Being new participants in a concert series allows people to hear us who otherwise might not. We’re excited about having some new attendees from the St. Ann community, the Tenleytown area, and American University students,” Tucker said.

The Camerata has been around for a little over 40 years. Tucker said that while they have participated in some events in the D.C. area, the Camerata is trying to become more involved in the community.

“We are actively looking for others as part of our commitment to civic participation across the area,” Tucker stated.

Tucker even teased what the Camerata’s show will look like which is happening on May 31, 2026.

“Our program in May will also be special because we’re celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We will be exploring American music, a particularly rich repertoire given the variety of cultural influences of the past 250 years,” Tucker said.

Tucker encourages people to join in on the music.

“Even if you’ve never come to a chorus concert, or heard a men’s choir, we hope you’ll come by. It’s a way to take a break from the crush of everyday life, rest your weary mind and soul, and feel uplifted,” Tucker stated.

Susannah Patton, a regular series attendee, said she attends the concerts when she can.

“I hate to miss one because they’re so good,” Patton said.

Patton said people should try not the miss these concerts with the remarkable people that are brought in to perform especially since they are free.

Not only is the concert series showcasing classical musicians, but it includes a fundraising event that is to take place in April 2026 to benefit the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Relief Fund. The fund helps musical artists who are in need.

While the concerts are free, St. Ann Catholic Church accepts donations.

“Come and bring your kids and sing, you can even make noise. You can clap between movements, just be yourself and experience the joy of this language that we try to spread around,” Peled said.

Officials from St. Ann Catholic Church did not respond to requests for comment.