Classical, Gospel & Springsteen

Madison Avenue Baptist Church Music

Our music program has historically served as a focal point of our worship. In fact, we hosted the first performance of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1971. Today, the Madison Avenue Baptist Church hosts a sextet of Broadway and off-Broadway singers led by our Minister of Music Aza Sydykov. Our music ranges from plainchant and classical to gospel and Bruce Springsteen. Listen to some samples below and check out our events.

Donate to our music program and support our artists by clicking here!

Emerging Artists Fellowship

Auditions are now open for our 2026-27 Emerging Artists fellowship! This is a tuition-free, year long training and performance program designed for aspiring vocalists. We will offer selected singers the opportunity to explore a wide range of musical genres while showcasing their talents through featured performances in the Madison Sounds concert series, MABC’s major holiday services (Christmas and Easter), and regular Sunday worship services.

We are excited to announce that we will have monthly masterclasses for our fellows from prestigious and acclaimed artists:

  • Arthur Levy, distinguished Professor of Voice at Mannes School of Music and former mentor of Audra McDonald
  • Olga Makarina, internationally acclaimed soprano and veteran of the Metropolitan Opera
  • Mzia Nioradze, internationally celebrated Georgian-American mezzo-soprano who has appeared with the Mariinsky Theatre, the Metropolitan Opera, and other renowned international opera companies

Former fellows have advanced to international stages, prestigious festivals, and leading academic institutions. Their accomplishments include appearances at the Aspen Music Festival, Carnegie Hall, the Vienna Summer Music Festival, and the Asian International Music Festival, as well as engagements with renowned organizations such as Las Vegas Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, and the Boston Festival Orchestra.

Interested in being a part of this program? Click here to submit your application materials.

It's Darkest Before Dawn: A Good Friday Concert

Special Easter Choir sings Charles Gounod's Unfold, Ye Portals Everlasting from The Redemption

Haydn Piano Sonata No.62 in E flat major Hob.XVI, 52 : I Allegro - Aza Sydykov

Aza's Easter Postlude ("Pictures at an Exhibition: The Great Gate of Kyiv" - Mussorgsky)

Jenny Lindsey and Karen Rich sing Handel's "Oh Lovely Peace" from Judas Maccabaeus

Special Easter Choir sings Charles Gounod's "Unfold, Ye Portals Everlasting" from The Redemption

Image of AZA SYDYKOV

For more, check out Aza’s website at AzaSydykov.com.

Minister of Music Aza Sydykov (he/him/his) is a concert pianist who made his professional debut at age 17 with the Russian Philharmonic, Aza is an internationally known vocal coach, conductor, accompanist, and arts entrepreneur. The recipient of numerous awards, Aza has performed all over the world, including as a solo pianist at Carnegie Hall. He is a graduate of Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Mannes Music, and New York’s New School University. He also serves as President of the Kyrgyz American Foundation in New York City, which sponsors the Eurasia Festival as well as various cultural exchange and educational activities.

Madison Avenue Baptist Church Community New York

Madison Avenue Baptist Church Choir

Alexandra de Suze (she/her)
Brian Long (he/him/his)
Richard Binder (he/him/his)
Jennifer Lindsey (she/her/hers)
Karen Rich (she/her/hers)
Doug Shapiro (he/him/his)