Churches are rich with classical music

What would classical musicians do without churches to play in? There are more classical concerts in churches than any other venue, and for good reason. Churches tend to have pretty good acoustics, they're attractive places, the price is always reasonable and their historical connection with classical music includes immortal composers from Hildegard of Bingen to J.S. Bach, Bruckner to Messiaen. Sunday afternoons often feature concerts in Tampa Bay area churches, and this Sunday's musical offerings are especially rich. Each has a reception after the performance.

m Soprano Maggie Coleman sings the music of Handel, Purcell and Bach in a recital for Florida Pro Musica, with Larry Kent at the harpsichord. 4 p.m. Sunday, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 509 N Florida Ave., Tampa. $15. (813) 293-4594; floridapromusica.com.

Durufle's "Requiem" is being performed by the St. Petersburg Festival Chorus and Orchestra, with mezzo-soprano Cyndy Orozco and bass Joel Mercer, Dwight Thomas conducting. 5 p.m. Sunday, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 140 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. Freewill offering. (727) 822-4173; spcathedral.net.

Vivaldi is on the agenda in the annual "Go for Baroque'' early music festival, with his Four Seasons performed by the Arc de Soleil chamber orchestra and his Gloria sung by the Clearwater Bach Choir and Peace Memorial Chancel Choir. 3 p.m. Sunday, Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, 110 S Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater. $5 suggested minimum donation. (727) 446-3001; peacememorial.org.

Pianist Frederick Moyer plays a program ranging from Bach to Rachmaninoff. 2 p.m. Sunday, Unitarian Universalist Church of Tarpon Springs, 230 Grand Ave. Donations appreciated. (813) 891-9399; uutarpon.org.

Nathan J. Laube plays works by Strauss, Rossini, Durufle and Jongen as St. John's Episcopal Church in Tampa gives a dedicatory concert for its newly refurbished organ. 5 p.m. Sunday, St. John's Church, 906 S Orleans Ave., Tampa. Free. (813) 259-1570.

The Sarasota-Manatee Bach Festival features harpsichordist Julane Rodgers, cellist Isabelle Besancon and organist Richard Benedum. 5 p.m. Sunday, Christ Church, 4030 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton. $10. (941) 747-3709.

John Fleming, Times performing arts critic