Celebrating Veteran’s Day at the Austin Pipe Organ

My past week was spent in preparation for Sunday’s (11-11) program at First Presbyterian Church in Parkersburg, WV.  The concert concluded the church’s full-celebration of Veteran’s Day led by Pastor Michael Seeley, Director of Music Amy Sinclair and the church musicians. The evening program began with Veteran’s Day tributes including the Dudley Buck Variations on the Star Spangled Banner, Gilbert Martins’ Hymn for the Nations (Eternal Father), Hayes’ Tribute to the Armed Forces (medley of Service Songs) and combined choirs singing “From Sea to Shining Sea”.  A second section continued with a thanksgiving theme including the choir singing Dan Forrest’s “Hymn for Creation” and Joel Raney’s piano-organ duet “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” with Amy playing the Steinway and Rodney playing the Austin Pipe Organ. “On Eagles’ Wings” arranged by Fred Bock provided a brief quiet interlude on the Austin American Orchestral Organ Strings and Solo Voices before Louis Ruf sang a heartfelt rendition of “You Raise Me Up”!  Louis has a long association with First Presbyterian Parkersburg and now sings in the Crestview Choir in West Chester.  I always appreciate the opportunity to accompany his fine singing.  Bach’s powerful “Sinfonia: We Thank Thee O God” was a penultimate and powerful program pleaser, before a medley from Bizet’s Carmen demonstrated the full resources of the organ and brought the evening to a powerful conclusion.  Many folks contributed to this evening’s program including Amy Sinclair, Dr. H.G. Young, Pastor Michael Seeley, Louis Ruf and the combined choir members.  In this season of “thanksgiving”,  I am personally grateful for the opportunity to play the Austin at First Presbyterian for the third concert in five years, and to share the program with these excellent musicians!