Sunday, May 6th, 4pm: 50th-Anniversary Concert for First Church Pipe Organ

Even at age 50, First Church's massive Austin pipe organ
plays sounds of rolling thunder.

First Church Organ Celebration Opens
with Historic Arrangement
of Old Hundredth Psalm Tune

You are invited to attend an organ celebration at First Church in Middletown on Sunday, May 6. The concert starts promptly at 4pm and celebrates the organ in solo, in worship, in chorus, in joy, and in consolation, as it reaches out to us in many ways.

First Church sanctuary with Austin pipe organ.
Its sounds will rock you.

First Church Minister of Music Shari Lucas is an accomplished organist and master of music of the Yale School of Music. She begins Sunday's program with The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune (All people that on Earth do dwell) in a special arrangement by English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. Shari also will explore a few selected compositions displaying the complexity of the Austin organ's sound and demonstrating her extraordinary mastery of it. 

The program includes the following pieces:
Ralph Vaughan Williams     The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune
Johann Sebastian Bach        Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543
David Conte                         Recollection
Felix Mendelssohn               Sonata No. 4
Johann Sebastian Bach        Andante, Sonata 1 for violin
                                             & cembalo, BWV 1014
Jean-Joseph Mouret             Rondeau, from Sinfonies de Fanfares
Charles-Marie Widor           Allegro, from Symphony No. 6
ENGELBERG,                    When In Our Music God Is Glorified
arr. Harriet Ziegenhals        
 
Founded in 1668, the church celebrates this year its 350th anniversary. The Austin organ, installed in 1968, celebrates its 50th anniversary.  In between those two events, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953. Her coronation at Westminster Abbey was televised around the world, and her processional was accompanied by the first performance of the Vaughn Williams Old Hundredth Psalm Tune. This link—Old Hundredth processional—shows Queen Elizabeth's 50th coronation anniversary procession interspersed with footage--in black and white--from her 1953 coronation. You might enjoy it.

First Church is an open and affirming congregation—all are welcome. We invite you to come with your family, your friends, your partners and your children, and enjoy this spring celebration of the organ. A light reception follows in the Parish Hall.

First Church is located at 190 Court Street in Middletown and free parking is available nearby. Admission is free and open to all. Donations are welcomed.