The University of Tampa, in a first-time association with PNC Bank, will present six free concerts — including a performance from the principal organist of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir — as part of the 2013-2014 PNC Concert Artist Series at the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values.

The series, which is open to the public, also includes a pops concert by the San Diego civic organist and the traditional December holiday concert.

This is the first time the popular, standing-room only concert series has had a corporate partner.

“PNC believes in the power of culturally engaging programs to strengthen our communities,” said Joseph Meterchick, regional president, PNC Bank, Florida West. ”This free series not only compliments the University's events on campus, but supports the cultural vitality of this region.”

Dan Gura, UT vice president of development and university relations, said the concert series has quickly become one of UT’s most anticipated and well-attended events on campus, and “having PNC Bank associated with it will only raise its prestige and reputation as a premier, Tampa cultural event.”

The concert dates follow. Seating is limited, and doors open 30 minutes before the concerts.

• Music for Organ and Orchestra, Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. The program includes George Frideric Handel’s Concerto in B-flat, Op. 4, No. 2, Richard Proulx’s Chant de lumière and Josef Rheinberger’s Concerto No. 1 in F, Op. 137. Ryan Hebert, University organist and assistant professor of music, will perform; Haig Mardirosian, dean of UT’s College of Arts and Letters, will conduct; and the Sykes Chapel Chamber Orchestra will accompany.
• Echoing Air: Early music vocal ensemble with period instruments, Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. The program includes works by masters of the English Baroque period — Henry Purcell, John Blow and their contemporaries — for two countertenors, recorders, viola da gamba and harpsichord.
• And Heaven and Nature Sing: A Holiday Celebration, Sunday Dec. 8, at 2 and 4 p.m. Conducted by Ryan Hebert, performers include The University of Tampa Chamber Singers and Camerata, The Tampa Brass and organist Haig Mardirosian.
• Organ Pops Concert by Carol Williams, Sunday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. The San Diego civic organist and organist of the famed Spreckles Pavilion will perform works by George Gershwin, Scott Joplin, John Williams and some “swinging” Bach.
• Richard Elliott, Principal Organist of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Sunday, March 2, at 4 p.m. Continuing the tradition of inviting the world’s most acclaimed organists to perform on the Dobson organ in the Sykes Chapel, UT invites the principal organist of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The artist, recognized through his weekly broadcasts and recordings, will perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Maurice Duruflé, John Longhurst and Peter Warlock.
• Music for Organ and Piano (and Harpsichord), Sunday, April 6, at 2 p.m. Haig Mardirosian, organist and harpsichordist, and Grigorios Zamparas, pianist and organist, will perform indigenous works and transcriptions for organ, piano and harpsichord by Richard Wagner, César Franck, Marcel Dupré, Antonio Soler and Joe Unterback. Zamparas is an associate professor of music at UT.

In addition to PNC Bank, the 2013-2014 PNC Concert Artist Series is sponsored by the UT College of Arts and Letters and the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values.

For more information, contact caldean@ut.edu or go to www.ut.edu/sykeschapel.