“ORGAN PLUS – 47 ?”

Mary Jane Nelson

Yes!  That’s how many willing AGO members and their musical friends and family have signed on to be a part of the final program of our Chapter offered in this International Year of the Organ.  Organ Plus will be presented at 4:00 PM on Sunday, April 26^th, at the Grantham Brethren in Christ Church, hosted and coordinated by Organist, Lois Paine, and Minister of Music and Worship, Karen Durbin.  The church is located at 421 Grantham Road, overlooking the campus of Messiah College.

The host church has offered participation by three musical groups: The Grantham Chancel Choir, The Grantham Brass, and The Grantham Ringers, and will prepare the reception following the program.  Also available to be viewed, following the musical presentations, will be an Art Exhibit in celebration of the 100^th Anniversary of the Grantham Church.

Chuck Yocum and his son Charles III, a violinist, will perform “Ornament of Grace” by Bernard Wayne Sanders, which was commissioned for the October 19^th Organ Spectacular, and the “Adagio” from ‘Sonata in F Major’ by Handel.

Organist Don Golden will accompany Dr. Donald Roeder in two trumpet solos: “Mont Saint-Michel” by Geoffrey Robbins, and “Trumpet Voluntary in D Major” by John Stanley.  Don will also accompany Ruth Brommer, mezzo-soprano, in Daniel Gawthrop’s “I Believe.”

Keeping it in the family, Ron Sider will provide the organ accompaniment for his wife, Beth, in two flute compositions: “Pavane” by Gabriel Fauré, and “Sanctus” from the ‘Saint Cecelia Mass’ by Charles Gounod.

With Suzanne Klinedinst at the organ, Hilary Zirkle will perform the “Adagio” from ‘Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K.622' by Mozart.  Hilary won the Young Artist Competition this past year with the Hershey Symphony, and was featured in their December concert.

Tim Koch will serve as organ accompanist for Karen Appel, soprano, as she sings the “Alleluia” from ‘Exsultate, Jubilate, K.165' by Mozart, and Tim will also play the piano, teaming with Ken Kline at the organ in “Rhapsody” by Clifford Demarest.

To open the afternoon’s program, the Grantham Ringers will play “Gather Us In” by Marty Haugen, arranged by Philip L. Roberts, with Lois Paine at the organ.  Midway through the concert, The Grantham Brass will perform “Lift High the Cross” arranged by Sondra Tucker. And the closing anthem by The Grantham Church Chancel Choir, with Sara Donovall as soloist, will be “We Are One in Christ” by James Chepponis, with accompaniment by the Brass and Handbells and Lois Paine, still at the organ!

Program Committee members Ralph Kneeream, Robert Lau, and Esther Long have indicated their appreciation of the participants’ willingness to join this program, and all of us are anticipating a wonderful closing to this International Year of the Organ on April 26^th.  Please invite your friends and neighbors!

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