Return to Arlington

I was very happy to return to Arlington Memorial Gardens in Mt. Healthy, Ohio for a second annual “American Organ Concert”.  This year I played a varied program on the LOWREY RHAPSODY Organ which faithfully reproduced Classic, Theatre, Pops, and Symphonic sounds which allowed me to take the nearly “FULL HOUSE” on quite a journey.

The afternoon began with a delightful free picnic, burgers, dogs, and apple pie (!), and then at 2pm in the air-conditioned mausoleum,  we started with the Star Spangled Banner, Under the Double Eagle March and followed with a Tribute to the Armed Forces, recognizing veterans who were present.  A symphonic arrangement of God Bless America ending with the audience joining in the final chorus.  I continued the American Theme with music from the Andrews Sisters:  Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Bei Mir Bist Du Schon-and In the Mood-everyone was toe-tapping on these. A relaxing break featured the symphonic sounds of the LOWREY on LARGO from Dvorak’s New World Symphony.  Following I had several comments of how surprised the listeners were this organ featured all these great sounds including: choral, orchestral flute, symphonic strings with organ strings, orchestral oboe, full principal chorus with reeds.

We took a seventh inning stretch to the ball park, and played some “situation songs” explaining ways the organ could accompany action on the field, I featured a Hee Haw “Pickin and Grinnin” segment with both really “good and bad” baseball jokes which was pretty funny.  I ended the “stretch” with the sound of “old-time” baseball organ, featuring the pure sweet sounds of the traditional LOWREY Organ, on Beautiful Ohio, Good Old Summertime and Cruising Down the River.  I had several comments that people enjoyed these the best!

We ended with all clapping along on The Stars and Stripes!  What a great day and way to begin celebrating the week of Independence Day Activities!  I’m appreciative to Dan and Lisa from Arlington Memorial Gardens for the invitation and to Peggy Friedhoff for making the arrangements and for creating a wonderful PowerPoint presentation to go along with the music!

I believe I can announce the THIRD ANNUAL AMERICAN ORGAN CONCERT IN 2020!  And check the Arlington Memorial Website for their new building schedule to be open in December 2019 and a possible Christmas Open House Organ Event.