Zion Church

When Zion Church was founded in downtown Baltimore, the music of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and Corelli would have been considered hot new stuff. It still sounded remarkably fresh Thursday night when played by acclaimed violinist Hilary Hahn and some of the city's finest musicians in a benefit concert at the church, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary. The beneficiary of the event (the musicians donated their services) was the organ restoration fund, which earned $30,000 from ticket sales and another $5,000 from Hahn, who also helped generate a few thousand dollars more from concertgoers during intermission.

Area churches play a significant role in the region's musical life, serving as concert venues for a wide spectrum of performers and repertoire each season. Here are notable examples on this weekend's calendar: The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation celebrates its centennial with a concert by the church's choir singing works in Greek and English. The program includes the haunting Song for Athene by contemporary British composer John Tavener, which was memorably performed at Princess Diana's funeral.

Victor Wayne Myrick, a music educator and a longtime organist and choir director, died Aug. 30 of kidney failure at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. He was 62. Mr. Myrick was born in Baltimore and started piano lessons at age 9, beginning a lifelong passion for the instrument and for music. One of four children, he graduated from City College in 1961 and later studied music at the Peabody Conservatory, the Johns Hopkins University and University of Heidelberg in Germany. He served most recently as the organist and choir director at Sharon Baptist Church in Baltimore.

Like most 9-year-olds, Emelia Boki enjoys splashing in the water on a hot summer day, as she did recently at a Bel Air family's pool. Back home in Africa, however, she keeps her distance from the waters of the Zambezi River, which flows through the small village of mud huts in the bush country outside the town of Katima Mulilo in the eastern panhandle of Namibia. "There are crocodiles or hippos there," says Emelia, who visited this summer with a Harford family. As she speaks, she covers her face in shyness.

On May 27, 2005 ALICE MIDDLETON; beloved mother of Calvin and Jay Bobian, Delores Cassell and Shirley Macklin. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, one brother Robert Middleton and other relatives. Friends may visit the JAMES A. MORTON & SONS FUNERAL HOMES, INC., 311 Main St. on Thursday 2 to 7 P.M. On Friday, Mrs. Bobian will lie in state at Pennsylvania Ave., A.M.E. Zion Church, 1128 Pennsylvania Ave. The family will receive friends 10 to 10:30 A.M. followed by services.

On April 20, 2005, ELDRIDGE DIXON. On today, friends may call at VAUGHN C. GREENE Funeral Services (EAST), 4905 York Road, where the family will receive friends from 3 to 8 P.M. Services to be held at St. John A.M.E. Zion Church in Thomasville, N.C. Inquiries to 410-433-7500.

On March 30, 2005, OLIVER H. MOANEY, beloved brother of John, Leon and David Moaney. He also leaves to cherish his memory, a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends today, Sunday, April 3, at Howell Funeral Home, 4600 Liberty Heights Ave., from 12 to 5 P.M. Funeral Services will be held on Monday at Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church, 1128 Pennsylvania Ave. Family Hour, 10:30 to 11. Services immediately following. Interment Arbutus Memorial Park.

On March 29, 2005, THOMAS W. NIXON survived by his children Lindsey Margaret and Sean Thomas Nixon and their mother Judy Ruscoe; brother of Robert E. Nixon, Margaret Myslinski and Carolyn Nixon. Friends may call at the family owned Slack Funeral Home, P.A., 3871 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City on Friday 7-9 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Saturday 2 p.m. at Mt. Zion Church, 12367 Rt. 216, Highland, MD. Interment Mt. Zion Church Cemetery.

On March 10, 2005, WILLIAM LOUIS HOWARD was one of five children born to the late Ozzie Sherrill Howard and Silas Liddell Howard in Mecklenburg County, NC on July 22, 1982; left to cherish his memory are: daughter, Michelle Howard Lowery of Columbia, MD; two brothers, Robert S. Howard of Phil., PA and John E. Howard, Sr. (Almeta) of Sanford, NC; sister, Katherine Howard Johnson of Catonsville, MD; two nephews, Sheldon D. Howard and family of Charlotte, NC and John Howard, II of Durham, NC; niece, Dr. Katrina Howard Avery (Elbert)

On February 5, 2005, PHILLIP THOMAS, devoted husband of Ollie Mae White Friends may call at the family owned MARCH FUNERAL HOME WEST, INC., 4300 Wabash Ave. on Thursday after 8:30 A.M. Family will receive friends on Friday at the Pennsylvania A.M.E. Zion Church, 1128 Pennsylvania Avenue at 11:00 A.M. followed by funeral services at 11:30 A.M. See www.marchfh.com