John Nothaft

Author, John Nothaft, 26, recently recorded a musical reading of "Old McHandel & His Musical Farm" and a Handel aria to be featured on the social media pages of the Handel+Hendrix House in London as outreach to music lovers across the world who are spending uncommon amounts of time at home during this worldwide pandemic. See link below to videos.

https://www.facebook.com/GCapabilitiesView/posts/2898596030229854

John believes music can bring joy even through the most dismal of times. John's first book "Old McHandel & His Musical Farm" is featured in March 2020's Indiana University Alumni magazine and American Organist's March issue. We are especially delighted to be receiving orders from musicians, music educators and music lovers across the country. Any feedback and reviews are welcome. During this Covid-19 crisis John is also posting musical interludes on Lewinsville Presbyterian Church's website to engage his congregation and choirs during this difficult time. Past concerts can also be found at the National City Christian Church's website.

John received his Master of Music from Eastman School of Music in Organ Performance and Historical Keyboards and was an undergraduate at Indiana's Jacob School of Music also in Organ Performance. He was a student of David Higgs and Janette Fishell respectively. In June 2019 he was a recitalist at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston. As an Oundel winner he has played at Truro and Chester Cathedrals in England and performed at National City Christian and St. John's Church in Washington DC, St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle, throughout the USA and on PipeDreams Live! He was the first-prize winner of the National Federation of Music Clubs Collegiate Organ Competition and recipient of the NPM members scholarship. He grew up in Vienna, Virginia, studied piano with Marcia Chaplin, and attended Madison High School where he also played all 4 years on the Varsity Tennis Team. Outside of music he plays and also teaches tennis as a Certified-USPTA professional.

He loves his position as Music Director of Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, Virginia where he leads a vibrant music program including the staging, with full orchestra, of "Amahl and the Night Visitors" in December 2018 and featuring the Christmas works of Handel on Dec. 8, 2019 and a very special Mardi Gras/Jazz service on Feb. 23, 2020. See the links below.

https://www.lewinsville.org/videos/waiting-for-the-messiah/ https://www.lewinsville.org/videos/shrove-sunday-service-of-worship-jazz-worship/

Concerts in the Community- Lewinsville Church

Our Holy Happy Hour Concert Series is held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:15 pm (except as noted in the schedule below). Concerts in the sanctuary usually run 45 minutes, followed by wine, cheese and fellowship in St. Andrews Hall. Escape the commute!

2019-2020 Concerts (temporarily suspended)

Wednesday, September 25 – HOLY HAPPY HOUR @6:15 pm

“Autumn Leaves” – Jazz music for the beginning of fall.

Artists: Lena Seikaly and Christopher Ziemba perform a jazz voice and piano duet

Wednesday, October 23 – HOLY HAPPY HOUR @6:15 pm

Due to our Bachtoberfest concert listed below, there will be no Holy Happy Hour concert this month.

Sunday, October 27 – BACHTOBERFEST @7:00 pm

Organ works of J.S. Bach, Cello Suite No. 3 BWV 1009, and Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott Cantata BWV 80, followed by German desserts

Artists: John Nothaft, organist, Katie McCarthy, cellist, The Lewinsville Chancel Choir with orchestra

Wednesday, November 20 – HOLY HAPPY HOUR @6:15 pm:

Rock music from the 1969 Woodstock event featuring Lewinsville’s pipe organ with guitars, bass, drums, and vocals

Artists: Bruce Deatley, drums; Joe Koenig, guitar; Clay McConnell, bass & vocals; John Nothaft, organ

Sunday, December 8 – CHRISTMAS CONCERT @6:00 pm

“Waiting for the Messiah” – a blend of the Christmas Section of Handel’s Messiah with Advent and Christmastime favorites

Artists: Lewinsville’s vocal and bell choirs, featuring orchestra

Wednesday, January 22 – HOLY HAPPY HOUR @6:15 pm

Music featuring flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn and bassoon. This concert will run one hour, followed by fellowship.

Artists: The US Navy Band Woodwind Quintet

Wednesday, February 19 – HOLY HAPPY HOUR @6:15 pm

Music of African American composers

Artist: Amy Yurkewitch, clarinet, accompanied by John Nothaft, organ/piano

Sunday, March 22 – Bachathon Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church at 5:30 pm followed at 7 pm by a German dinner. 1 Chevy Chase Circle, Washington, DC 20015

Wednesday, March 25 – HOLY HAPPY HOUR @6:15 pm

An evening of Celtic Music

Artist: Seán Heely, US National Scottish Fiddler Champion, with Lisa Greenfield (vocals) and Hector Munk (flute)

Wednesday, April 22 – HOLY HAPPY HOUR @6:15 pm

Music for Earth Day

Artist: Sarah Berger, violin

Wednesday, May 27 – HOLY HAPPY HOUR @6:15 pm

Music by Latin American composers

Artist: LeeLee Hunter, classical guitar. https://www.lewinsville.org/concerts/

Old McHandel & His Musical Farm is his first book. It was inspired by his love of Handel's Messiah and his search for a musically inspiring Christmas gift for a very young niece—who not only loves music but loves animals. In the book we join McHandel on his farm as he completes his chores—and his finest musical masterpiece—with a little help from his animal friends. McHandel's closest companions, Béla Bardog and Benjamin Kitten never leave his side as he struggles to finish a piece he is writing to celebrate the birth of Robert and Clara Sheepman's infant lamb.

Creativity, collaboration and inspiration are themes found throughout the book.

It also includes a 4 page brief glossary of the important composers appearing within the pages.

The beautiful watercolor illustrations were created by Dr. Bienvenido Castillo a prominent pediatric opthamalogist who is especially adept at the relating to young children. Doctor Castillo's daughter attended the Hutton Honors College at Indiana University along with John. Doctor Castillo is a music lover who frequently attended John's recitals and they became fast friends.

John believes, "It is never too early to start ear training and a solid music education". He hopes to create a series of musically inspired books for children.

John would be available for a reading accompanied by a musical presentation on his keyboard.

Next Recital

Sunday January 12, 2020 at The Franciscan Monastery of The Holy Land im America1400 Quincy Street NE Washington, DC 20017