MUSIC CORNER AT ST. FRANCIS: “Birdsongs and Brass” with guest artist John McElroy, trumpet

Music Corner is back this fall with its FREE activities — mark your calendars for September 19, October 24, November 21, and December 19, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Bring your children, your neighbors, anyone curious about music, story, and connection, and anyone interested in the free ESL classes for Spanish speakers. We can’t wait to see familiar faces again this fall, and to meet new ones too!

Our guest artist in September is John McElroy, who was Alabama Symphony’s Principal Trumpet for over four decades and a teacher of young Wynton Marsalis. Story time, music, and birdhouse painting will make this into an event not to be missed! All are invited and welcome!
https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/04/john_mcelroy_four_brilliant_de.html

Music Corner at St. Francis
There’s a particular kind of joy that fills a room when children discover music, both individually and
collectively — the wide eyes at the sound of a bassoon; the quiet concentration of a hand drawing
inside a paper heart, inspired by music; the delighted giggles when a musical game begins. That joy has
filled St. Francis of Assisi church many times this year, and this fall, as we resume activities after
summer break, we’re overjoyed to welcome the community back for more.

Music Corner is a FREE music, English, and art activities series for children ages 5 and above, paired
with a FREE ESL (English as a Second Language) class for Spanish-speaking parents, caretakers, and
interested friends, offered during the same time. The program is open to everyone — no registration
fees, no barriers, just an open door for anyone interested.

Looking back on our 2026 season so far, it’s hard to choose favorite moments, because there have
been so many. We began with Peter and the Wolf, introducing our youngest audience members to the
instruments of the orchestra alongside guest bassoonist Jack Sharp. Then came What the Heart Holds,
an afternoon of storytelling, music, and movement with music educator Virginia Barr, sung in both
English and Spanish — the art project that followed, where children drew inside paper hearts to
express their inner worlds, was quietly moving to witness. Color the Sound brought harpist Marsha
Gunter to share an original story and interactive musical activities, and Fantasia Afternoon let families
settle in together for Disney’s beloved Fantasia 2000, its eight animated segments set to classical
music, rounded out with musical games. The last spring program, Keys and Celebrations, featured
piano music from graduating senior and AMTA State Winner Brandon Cui, along with more games and
creative arts activities for all participating.

None of this would be possible without generosity that reaches far beyond our own walls. We are
deeply grateful to The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama for the grant that helped launch and sustain this
program, and to the many generous private donors whose gifts have covered the costs of keeping
Music Corner completely free for every family who walks through our doors. Their support is the quiet
foundation beneath every song, every story, and every child’s drawing.

Now, as we look toward resuming our activities after the summer break, we can’t wait to see familiar
faces again this fall, and to meet new ones. Bring your children, bring your neighbors, bring anyone
curious about music, story, and connection, and anyone interested in the free ESL classes for Spanish
speakers. All is offered freely, in the same warm, welcoming spirit as everything else we do at St.
Francis. The door is open, and there’s always room for one more family at Music Corner!

We’ll see you soon.

For more info email Dr. Alina Voicu at avoicu1970@gmail.com or call (205)807-5814.