Engagements
Below is a current calendar of Dillon J. Swanson's public appearances. This calendar does not include private events. (Updated 02/13/25)
MAR14-16
OPERA ROANOKE: GIANNI SCHICCHI
Friday, 14 March, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Jefferson Center - Roanoke, VA
Sunday, 16 March, 2025 | 2:30 PM | Jefferson Center - Roanoke, VA
Alongside the staged production of Puccini's Gianni Schicci, The Opera Roanoke Chorus will present the "Kyrie and Gloria" movements of Puccini's Messe di Gloria and "Easter Hymn" from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana; prepared by Dillon J. Swanson, chorus master.
MAR23
CHORAL EVENSONG
Sunday, 23 March, 2025 | 5:00 PM | St. John's Episcopal Church - Roanoke, VA
Canticles: Good Shepherd - Powell
Responses: Gladden - Jones
Anthem: My Song in the Night - Christiansen
Voluntaries: BWV 542, 543
MAR 27
ORGAN RECITAL: BACH AND THE CROSS
Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 7:00 PM | Raleigh Court Presbyterian - Roanoke, VA
Music of the Baroque (1600-1750) is known for its use of rhetorical musical figures, figures used to express the mood (affekt) or text of a piece. These are used to bring the listener into deeper understanding and conversation with the music. This recital program will explore the musical figure of the cross with the various moods and styles of organ music by J. S. Bach. Program repertoire includes the Lenten chorales of the Orgelbüchlein and Various Chorale-Preludes, the Fantasia and Fugue in G minor and more. This recital is offered in commemoration of the 340th birthday and 275th death anniversary of the composer.
APR 18
GOOD FRIDAY TENEBRAE
Friday, April 18, 2025 | 7:00 PM | Raleigh Court Presbyterian - Roanoke, VA
Our annual Holy Week observances at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church close with a service of choral Tenebrae on Good Friday featuring Dale Wood's Service of Darkness presented by the Sanctuary Choir conducted by Dillon J. Swanson, Director of Music Ministries and organist Joe Kennedy.
APR 28
PREMIERE: RVCS CONCERT
Monday, April 28, 2025 | 7:00 PM | Raleigh Court Presbyterian - Roanoke, VA
​The Roanoke Valley Choral Society celebrates its 50th anniversary and closes its season in concert on Monday, April 28th. The program includes works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, William Dawson, and more! Featured on the program is a new work composed by Dillon J. Swanson for the occasion.
MAY
18
RISE, REMEMBER WELL THE FUTURE
Thursday, 27 March, 2025 | 7:00 PM | Raleigh Court Presbyterian - Roanoke, VA
The closing concert of the RCPC Centennial Music Series features singers from the RCPC Sanctuary Choir and Roanoke Valley Choral Society in a concert titled "Rise, Remember Well the Future. . . " The RCPC Sanctuary Choir will present an eclectic mass with music from various eras, countries, and language followed by a mass-choir presentation of Ralph Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs with baritone Charlie Blueweiss.
JUL
19
GRANDIN ROAD SUMMER HYMN FESTIVAL
Saturday, July 19, 2025 | 3:00PM | Raleigh Court Presbyterian - Roanoke, VA
​The Grandin Road Summer Hymn Festival is a collaborative partnership of the music ministries of churches on and around Grandin Road with a common goal of interdenominational song sharing and leading. Our hope for this event is that those gathered to sing will experience a breadth of hymnody and music from a variety of traditions and genres. This year's festival features the music of John Ferguson, prolific teacher and composer of the church who passed away this winter.