Dukes Memorial Concert Series
The Fred and Beverly Dukes Memorial Concert Series Schedule
2023/2024 Season
Welcome to the 2023-2024 Fred & Beverly Dukes Memorial Concerts Series
All concerts are held in our lovely acoustic sanctuary at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.
Concerts are free, and your donations to the DUKES DUCK BASKET are gratefully accepted and go directly to compensate the musicians and keep the series going.
BONHOMIE DUO on September 24, 2023 - Richard Noel on digital accordion, and Janice Hubbard on voice and percussion. They will offer a wide repertoire of music from country to classical, swing to tango, Beatles to blues - there is sure to be a favorite song for every concert-goer!
As an added feature to this event, Johnny Young, President of the Happy Music Center, will present Noel with the prestigious HAPPY MUSIC AMBASSADOR recognition award.
PAUL CIERLEY & FRIENDS on November 5, 2023. Cierley will be performing his own unique blend of toe-tapping jazz favorites with Chris Tiner on trumpet and several other local musicians.
BAKERSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS on December 3, 2023. under the direction of Amanda Isaac. This promises to be an uplifting concert featuring talented youngsters performing music from many lands and a sing-a-long of Christmas songs with the audience.
THE TEA ROSE STRING QUARTET on January 14, 2024. Local accomplished performers will be Julia Lawson Haney and Timothy Swanson on violin, Paulette Shires on viola and Alex Wilson on cello. They will present a concert of lovely classical music for us to enjoy.
BAKERSFIELD WINDS on March 3, 2024. David Green will direct this group of woodwind instrumentalists performing classical favorites. More on this concert to come!
SPECIAL EASTER DUKES CONCERT! The Fred and Beverly Dukes Memorial Concert Series is excited to present a special auxiliary concert this Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, featuring accordionist, CORY PESATURO!
Pesaturo has performed at the White House, for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and even for Jimmy Fallon, as well as TED Talks. This FREE Concert will be held at First Congregational church, 5 Real Road, at 4:00 pm. This is not a religious event.
This FREE Concert is open to all, so bring the kids, your family, and friends. What a great way to end the day this Easter Sunday!
VINCE GALINDO, KYLE APPLETON & FRIENDS on April 21, 2024. Galindo will croon classic country songs, accompanied by Appleton, arguably the best guitarist in the state! They will be joined by other jamming musician friends.
The Dukes Concert Committee members are Margie Bell, Amy Richardson, Nancy Hine, and Carla Joy Martin. Their hardworking goal is to present quality free concerts for the whole community. We hope you can experience some or all of our events.
SEE YOU AT THE DUKES!
The Dukes Memorial Concert Series offers five free secular concerts annually at First Congregational Church of Bakersfield. These free Sunday afternoon concerts are made possible by the Dukes family, partial sponsorship by Valley Public Radio, and donations received at the door. Those are always appreciated!
Fred and Beverly Dukes
The Dukes' Concert Series is in honor of Fred and Beverly Dukes, Bakersfield philanthropists who gave generously to students at CSUB and Bakersfield College through scholarships. They also served their churches, College Heights Congregational and First Congregational in multiple varied ways. Their church endowment included the funding of this concert series which consists of five musical events every year to be enjoyed without charge to music lovers in the Bakersfield Community. We have been enriched by their generosity, and we will remember them with gratitude.
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