St. John’s announces line-up for 2025-2026 events

By Andy Morgan

Music lovers — and fans of silent movies — will find something to enjoy when the 2025-26 Concerts at St. John’s series kicks off in late September.

The lineup includes 11 events, including opera, choral and classical music. Three evenings of silent films and cartoons will be accompanied by acclaimed St. John’s Episcopal Organist Benjamin Kolodziej. 

All events are free and open to all. All concerts and films will take place at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 848 Harter Road.

“We try to have a variety of concerts each season, whether it’s choral or instrumental,” Kolodziej said. “Some concerts are in the church, and some are in the parish hall because that’s such a great space.”

The annual series welcomes the autumn season with Opera on Tap on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 3-5 p.m. Opera on Tap aims to present opera, oratorio and classical music to new audiences by performing it in the community. 

“It’s not an entire opera, but selections from various operas,” Kolodziej said. “The selections will be performed by students from the University of North Texas opera program. It’s a wonderful introduction to opera for both adults and kids.”

On October 26, violinist Yulia Petkevich and pianist Daria Kiseleva will perform a concert of chamber music. Petkevich, a native of Moscow, graduated from the Gensin Russian Academy of Music, and has performed throughout Europe and the United States. Kiseleva debuted with orchestra at age 10. She’s performed throughout South America, Europe and at Carnegie Hall. A graduate of the Moscow Conservatory, she also studied at TCU.

Kolodziej said one highlight of this season’s lineup is a silent film festival in January. For 15 years, Kolodziej has accompanied silent films. He decided to expand the lineup this season to two films and a night of silent cartoons and films for children.

Kolodziej will accompany each presentation on the organ, evoking a musical style reminiscent of the great moving picture palaces of the 1920s. 

The first film is “Sherlock Jr.,” a 1924 comedy that features Buster Keaton as a movie projectionist and amateur detective. “Sherlock Jr.” is scheduled for January 18, 2026.

On January 25, 2026, the St. John’s series will show “The Parson’s Widow,” a 1920 film by Scandinavian director Carl Dreyer. This comedy/drama follows a young minister as he moved to a quaint Norwegian village, in which he is unfamiliar with the customs. Parents of very young children should be advised that this film contains some scary/dramatic scenes.

On January 30, 2026, St. John’s will host a special night of silent cartoons and films for children as part of a Parents’ Night Out event.

For a complete list of events, visit stjohnsepiscopal.org.