LEWISTON – A series of noonday concerts are planned on Wednesdays at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul during August. All concerts will begin at 12:15 and last for half an hour.

On Wednesday Aug. 3, Lewiston native Sam Woodhead will perform works of Brahms, Hovannes and Liszt.

Staff Sgt. Woodhead is the trombone soloist of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, D.C. As a member of “Pershing’s Own,” he performs across the country, from the steps of the nation’s Capitol to the stages of Lincoln Center in New York City.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine, a master’s degree from Yale University and is near completion of his doctorate at the University of Maryland. Apart from his Army duties, Woodhead is in demand as a freelance musician, from the National Symphony to the Signature Theater.

On Wednesday, Aug. 10, organist Ray Cornils will perform on the basilica’s great Casavant organ. Cornils is the municipal organist for the city of Portland, a post he’s held since 1990. He also serves First Parish Church in Brunswick as music director, where he leads an extensive music program of five vocal and two handbell choirs.

In addition, he is a member of the music faculties of Bowdoin College, the University of Southern Maine and the Portland Conservatory of Music, where he teaches organ, harpsichord and related classes.

Cornils has performed at concerts throughout the United States and in Germany, Russia, New Zealand and France. His recent concerts have included ones at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City and the National Cathedral in Washington. He has been a featured recitalist for conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society.

The Wednesday noontime concerts are free.