Concert-Locust Valley Reformed Church

Here are some highlights from this weekend’s dedication concert at Locust Valley Reformed Church on Long Island, NY:

-Perfect flight to LaGuardia and arrival to Locust Valley Church.

-Great session acquainting myself with this CONTENT 236R Organ.

-It’s performer friendly features include:  4 complete Organ Specifications, 120 Orchestral   

Voices and over 1600 combination piston storage slots!

The concert was woven into the morning worship service celebrating 150 years  of being a congregation  The people have only heard limited orchestral voices to this point.  I began the prelude with a single string melodic line for “Holy Spirit Truth Divine” gradually increasing to four parts, then modulated into “Come Thou Fount” with Orchestral Flute, English Horn, Harp, Full Orchestra transitioning into full Pipe Organ.  There were “gasps” of joy at the conclusion.

The first hymn “Lobe Den Herrn” was another combination of PIPE ORGAN with Mixtures, Rich Sonorous Orchestra in various octaves for the second verse and BRASS CHOIR (with Organ reeds) punctuated by the Timpani and Crash Cymbals from the Dynamic Orchestra, ending in just full Reed Chorus!  First time I’ve ever heard people applaud the first hymn.  And, I believe the applause was for the worship experience and joy the sound of the organ brought to these words of praise.

I explained the origin of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor associated with the Lutheran Hymn “Credo” and the Baroque Pipe Organ Sounds of the Content 236R provided a most authentic and credible rendering of this classic. 

Throughout the program I weaved traditional and orchestral sound, a performance pattern I often follow when the resources are available.

The closing number ODE TO JOY included congregational singing and then continued as a postlude with a number of folks coming up to the organ to watch and listen more closely.  One elementary age boy noticed in the program I play trombone.  He was quick to tell me he has just started playing trombone and he wanted to know if he kept practicing if he would be able to play the organ too!  I LOVE THIS!

Some comments following the concert:

An Avianics Sound Engineer from Grumman: this was one of the most amazing displays of sound I have ever witnessed. 

A Non-Musician from Congregation:  This is the first organ concert that has ever given me chills.

A Guest from the Community:  I just attended an organ concert at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York.  I know that organ is outstanding, but today’s concert at Locust Valley was truly amazing.

In addition to the concert, I enjoyed a guided tour of “The Gold Coast” of Long Island and learning some of the amazing history, a two day stay at historic Glen Cove Mansion, and getting to know some very lovely folk from Locust Valley Reformed Church.  Many thanks to Barbara and Ian King, to Pastor James Eastland, and to Dewey Kuhn from Verdin Organ Division for making this weekend possible.  Be sure to check the FaceBook Page of Locust Valley Reformed Church and you can view the concert from the view of a congregation member’s IPhone!