Is your heart sent soaring by a countertenor solo or would you prefer an entire chorale?  Does your toe tap to backwoods banjo strumming or classical piano music? Are you happiest tuned in to Celtic melodies or Russian folk songs?  Whatever your tastes, there’s probably something for you in the eclectic new lineup of public concerts brought to Davidson by St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

The year opens with a Bach extravaganza (do you recognize the Bach boys in the photo?) Sept. 16 and continues through April with a total of six concerts.  Series subscriptions will be available through Sept. 11.

This is the fourth season of Music at St. Alban’s, a series of concerts organized by Henry Lebedinsky, artistic director at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.  Mr. Lebedinsky said he looks for musicians who will “challenge and delight” when he prepares the schedule for the year.

“We try to appeal to as broad of an audience as possible,” he said.

Subscriptions to the entire series are currently available for $54, a 40-percent discount from individual ticket prices.  Otherwise, regular individual tickets are $15 for general admission, and $10 for seniors and students.  Children under 10 can attend for free.  Click here for complete information.  All concerts are held in the sanctuary of St. Alban’s, which is located off of Concord Road at St. Alban’s Lane (next to the McConnell neighborhood).

THE 2007-2008 CONCERT SERIES

Sunday, Sept. 16, 3 p.m. – Bach: All in the Family.  You may think “J.S.” when you hear the name “Bach,” but in fact the family produced more than 50 professional musicians over two centuries.  This concert will include four representatives of the House of Bach, performed by an all-star lineup with Grammy award-winning countertenor Ian Howell of New Haven, Conn., and baroque cellist Gyöngy Erödi of Hungary.  Program highlights include C.P.E. Bach’s Cello Concerto in A minor, a rarely performed work, and also J.S. Bach’s Cantata 170 Vergnügte rüh (Mr. Howell rendition of this cantata last year took first place at the American Bach Soloists International Solo Competition).

Sunday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m. – Carolina Voices Festival Singers.  The award-winning Charlotte-based Festival Singers form the classic music ensemble of Carolina Voices, directed by Donna Hill.  This concert will feature a spiritual adventure with Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Toward the Unknown Region.

Saturday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m. – The Beggar Boys.  The Celtic Christmas concert by the Beggar Boys is a popular annual feature of the St. Alban’s series.  The group consists of Boston musicians playing with Davidson’s own Henry Lebedinzky and Kate Minogue.  In addition, the musicians will be joined by Irish step dancers from Charlotte’s Rince na h’Eireann academy of Irish Dance.  A portion of proceeds from this concert will benefit the Ada Jenkins Center.

Sunday, Jan. 27, 3 p.m. – Music from the Appalachian Heritage.  With a band name like “Poultry in Motion” you can expect some zany fun.  Led by Charlotte’s own Jon Singleton playing banjo and fiddle, Poultry in Motion includes Atlanta-based ballad singer Leila Lazenby, upright bassist Robbie Link, and special guests. A toe-tapping celebration of mountain music at its best.

Sunday, March 2, 3 p.m. – The Manhattan Piano Trio.  Here’s your chance to sit down and enjoy mainstream classical music.  The Manhattan Piano Trio consists of three graduates of the Julliard School of Music.  The program will include Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite #1 and Ravel’s Piano Trio in A minor, along with works by Haydn, Liszt, and Piazzolla.

Sunday, April 6, 3 p.m. – LYRA Vocal Ensemble of St. Petersburg.  Making a second appearance in the St. Alban’s concert series, LYRA produces a cappella sounds from the Russian music tradition.  The concert will consist of two parts, traditional Russian Orthodox Church music followed by folk songs of Russia and Ukraine.