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As part of an ongoing concert series, Trinity Lutheran Church is set to honor one of its most prominent and talented former members.
In tribute to late pastor and organ player Estrella Macute Echavez, the church has planned “Music for Organ and Choir by Fauré, Poulenc, Duruflé, Saint-Saëns, Bach and Mayernik” as part of its Trinity Concert Series. Areté Singers will perform the music of famous composers such as Gabriel Fauré, Francis Poulenc, J.S. Bach and others.
Held at the Trinity Lutheran Church on the edge of downtown Pleasanton, the concert takes place next Saturday (June 24) at 7 p.m. Concert composer Luke Mayernik and members of the Echavez family will host a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m.
Conductors Timothy Echavez Salaver, Leandra Ramm, Mary jo Malabuyo, Irene Cheng and Jennifer Liu will perform alongside Mayernik for the concert.
According to church members, the concert series exists as a way to provide quality and affordable music performances for the public.
The late Echavez was known as a pastor, artist, activist and musician. She belonged to several San Francisco-based churches including Wesley Methodist Church where she played organ and piano from 1957 to 1977.
Church staff have said Echavez inspired conductor Salaver’s deep appreciation for classical music and organ.
“Pastor Echavez was also a gifted organist and pianist who played in several San Francisco churches in the 1950s through the 1970s,” concert organizers said in a statement. “She inspired conductor Salaver’s lifelong love of classical music.”
Aside from her music, Echavez was known as a champion of Asian-American equality and actively created opportunities within her community.
“Estrella was the founder and president of the Philippine-American Cultural Foundation, which worked with the city of San Francisco and local churches to produce cultural events for the Filipino community,” church members said of her dedication. “She was recognized by the California State Senate for her work in supporting and promoting the minority populations in the city of San Francisco and the state of California.”
A fellow organist, Mayernik will be debuting his original “Missa de Octava” for the event. Church staff noted his extensive musical skills in the same statement.
“Luke Mayernik is an award-winning composer, organist, pianist, harpsichordist, improviser and collaborative artist,” Trinity staff said.
A graduate of The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Mayernik has achieved national acclaim for his professional music compositions and improvisation pieces.
Trinity Church’s resident vocal ensemble, Areté Singers, was founded in 2016 by musical director and composer Salaver. The group has continued to perform regularly for events across the region and greater Bay Area.
“The singers have performed for the SF 49ers, at wineries in Napa and Sonoma, at many tree lightings and for numerous senior care facilities,” concert organizers said. “At Christmas you may have heard and seen Areté Singers somewhere throughout the greater San Francisco Bay area performing as Christmas carolers dressed in Dickens or holiday-themed costumes.”
Among the ensemble are members of the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, Livermore Valley Opera and others performing arts groups.
To find out more about the Trinity Concert Series or upcoming performances, visit trinitypleasanton.org.
