arts & entertainment

Long known for its musical and artistic outreach, First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach is the go-to place for a Sunday afternoon of free entertainment. Treasure Coast residents will have a chance to soak up classical vibes next, when the church at 520 Royal Palm Boulevard presents, The Muse Duo: An Intimate Chamber Concert on Sunday, October 6 at 4:00 PM. Comprised of guitarist Collin Holloway and pianist and composer Luke Benedict, The Muse Duo will perform a one-of-a-kind program of intimate chamber music that is both eclectic and accessible to modern audiences. Classically trained, The Muse Duo first came together at the renowned Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.  The experienced music festival veterans traveled to New York in 2022 to record their debut album, Experiments. Luke’s original music tailored for The Muse Duo is melodically focused and neo-classically inspired. For more information, call (772) 562-9088.  

Dr. Jacob Craig looks forward to welcoming The Muse Duo to First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach for the first time. The Muse Duo perform regularly at venues throughout Central and South Florida.

“This talented pair have put together an incredible program for their concert at First Presbyterian,” said Dr. Craig. “Lovers of classical music will be gratified to know the art form continues to inspire composers of today.” 

The Muse Duo: An Intimate Chamber Concert is just one of many events sponsored or hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, known for its musical and artistic outreach to the Central Florida community. For a list of upcoming events or for more information about First Presbyterian of Vero Beach, visit www.FirstPresVero.org.

ABOUT THE MUSE DUO —Originally formed at the Eastman School of Music, the Muse Duo is a one-of-a-kind ensemble in the world of classical music. Comprised of the soloist and award-winning guitarist Collin Holloway and the dynamic pianist and composer Luke Benedict, the guitar and piano duo brings music that is eclectic and accessible to modern audiences.

Just months after playing together for the first time, the duo embarked on a tour throughout the United States. Since then, the Muse Duo has performed in various venues and festivals, including the “Lynn New Music Festival”, “Off the Dock Chamber Festival”, and the “Shellpoint Young Artist Series”.

The Muse Duo strives to champion new compositions for the unique ensemble. Their repertoire primarily consists of Luke’s original works, where he composes music tailored for the duo. In July of 2022, the Duo traveled to New York to record their debut album, entitled “Experiments”. The album consists of entirely original music, composed by Luke. These works are melodically focused and neo-classically inspired, while engaging audiences through its modernistic rhythmic drive.

A dynamic modern ensemble, the Muse Duo fosters the spirit of collaboration between themselves and like-minded musicians with the intent to innovate. This includes the premiere performances of Luke’s original compositions in collaboration with soprano, string quartet, guitar orchestra, and mixed ensembles. This versatility of the Duo contributes to the sentiment of chamber music in the purest and most modern sense.

Through unique instrumentation, a convincing blend of musical personalities, and music which is experimental and accessible, the Muse Duo brings an exciting new perspective to chamber music. More about the Muse Duo is available on their website, https://TheMuseDuo.com/.

ABOUT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH– First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, founded in 1958, is a congregation of about 800 members with a vision for mission and ministry to represent the heart of the Reformed Tradition. The church serves Indian River County and beyond, covering worship and service to meet the needs of the community. It is located at 520 Royal Palm Boulevard in Vero Beach, Florida. For more information about First Presbyterian services or upcoming music or art-related events, contact the office at (772) 562-9088 or visit www.FirstPresVero.org. Under the guidance of Dr. Jacob Craig, Director of Music and Arts, the music department consists of a chancel choir, hand bell ensemble, and a comprehensive youth music program with wind ensemble, choir, and orchestra. The church also houses The Galleries at First Pres, a collection of spaces throughout the campus dedicated to a rotating collection of curated art. In addition, First Presbyterian is the home of the Vero Beach Pipes and Drums, PRIMO School of Performing Arts, and the Vero Beach Choral Society. For more information, visit www.FirstPresVero.org.