Arts on Alexander (AoA), a non-profit organization that makes regular use of the Redeemer campus for its presentations, emerged from Redeemer’s previous RedeemerArtes offerings. Redeemer Presbyterian had for years opened our doors to local choral and instrumental groups making beautiful music, as well as presenting its own offerings to the community with the December Festival of Music and an annual recital series featuring Redeemer’s historic Holbrook Organ.

In 2019, AoA was organized as a separate nonprofit, tax-exempt Texas corporation, recognizing that Redeemer’s artistic activity had reached the point that an independent arts organization was most appropriate going forward. AoA shares Redeemer’s view of the centrality of human creative activity as an expression of common grace: Its Mission Statement sums up the organization’s goals:

Arts on Alexander (AoA) was founded out of a belief that art matters. It builds communities and reflects the wonder of human creativity. AoA creates opportunities for youth and adults to engage in artistic enjoyment, expression, and education at the highest level.

Since its inception in 2019, AoA has brought to Austin these acclaimed artists: Vox Luminis, Amarcord, The Gesualdo Six, Voces 8 (fall 2023), Anton Nel, Tenebrae, Calmus, Ruckus, The Tallis Scholars (spring 2024), and AoA’s own “‘house”’ ensemble Philharmonie Austin, an orchestra specializing in historically informed performance.

AoA has continued to partner with Redeemer to present annual Festivals of Music in December of each year. Recent and projected offerings have included Handel’s Messiah in a complete presentation over two festivals, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Mendelssohn’s majestic oratorio Elijah, Bach’s St. John Passion and Cantata No. 140 “Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme”, and Vivaldi’s Gloria.

AoA has assumed oversight of the continuing annual Holbrook Organ Series that now has presented more than 50 performances.

Perhaps AoA’s most tangible contribution to the musical life of Austin comes from its ability to offer invited Austin ensembles a reliable and acoustically excellent performance venue in Covenant Hall on the Redeemer campus. Due to AoA’s space lease arrangement with Redeemer, the organization is able to furnish a specified number of performance and rehearsal dates at nominal cost, further benefitting these organizations. Currently AoA has invited La Follia Austin Baroque, ensemble viii, and Texas Early Music Project, ensembles whose repertoire and performances particularly suit the acoustic environment of Covenant Hall.

Complete information about AoA and its season can be found here.