Greenfield rejoices in ‘Pipes of Christmas: A Historic Organ Tour’
Lead Summary
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Special thanks to John Mitchell and Tammy Wells
GREENFIELD – The village of Greenfield rejoiced in virtuosic performances on all three of Greenfield’s historic pipe organs, at the First Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church and McClain High School on Sunday, Dec. 11.
In addition to the organ performances, the moon chimes of the Presbyterian Church and the Cockerill bells of the Methodist Church rang at their respective venues. The new Community Choir and a spirited Christmas singalong for all was accompanied by the organ.
For background, in 1903, a Lyon and Healy organ was installed in the First Presbyterian Church during its construction, followed in 1912 by an Estey organ in the First Methodist Church and a Skinner organ in E.L. McClain High School’s auditorium in 1915. It has been estimated that it would take close to a million dollars to duplicate the impressive Lyon and Healy organ. The McClain organ is one of only five concert organs remaining in a high school in the United States. During the installation of the Estey organ, Andrew Carnegie donated $1,000 to the cause.
All performances were by McClain alumni, along with one current student.
The performances at First Presbyterian Church began with Pastor Mike Anderson playing “Mary Did You Know” and “O Holy Night.” Next, resident organist J. Daniel McCray (MHS 1974) played “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates.” He was followed by Isaac Leaverton (MHS 2007) offering J.S. Bach’s “In Dulce Jubilo,” “Silent Night” and a Brahms arrangement of “Es ist ein Ros’entsprungen.”
The moon chimes were under the direction of Mindy Hunter (MHS 1968). John C. Huffman (MHS 1974) presented “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “Lo, He Comes in Clouds Descending” and “Allein zu dir, Jesu Christ.”
At the First Methodist Church, the program opened with a performance by Susan Long (MHS 1970) of “Adeste Fideles,” joined by the Cockerill bells under the direction of Jo Ellen Gossett. Carol Watts Welk (MHS 1968) followed with “Noel Basque."
Guests also enjoyed the Cockerill bells and David Pettit (MHS 1971).
This first-time event offered the unique opportunity to hear all three of Greenfield’s historic instruments, the chimes and bells and the Greenfield Community Chorus, as well as to join in the convivial joys and exultations of the Christmas season and its special music.
For more information, go to http://www.highlandcountypress.com/Content/In-The-News/In-The-News/Article/McClain-grads-current-student-to-headline-Pipes-of-Christmas-A-Historic-Organ-Tour-/2/20/36075.
GREENFIELD – The village of Greenfield rejoiced in virtuosic performances on all three of Greenfield’s historic pipe organs, at the First Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church and McClain High School on Sunday, Dec. 11.
In addition to the organ performances, the moon chimes of the Presbyterian Church and the Cockerill bells of the Methodist Church rang at their respective venues. The new Community Choir and a spirited Christmas singalong for all was accompanied by the organ.
For background, in 1903, a Lyon and Healy organ was installed in the First Presbyterian Church during its construction, followed in 1912 by an Estey organ in the First Methodist Church and a Skinner organ in E.L. McClain High School’s auditorium in 1915. It has been estimated that it would take close to a million dollars to duplicate the impressive Lyon and Healy organ. The McClain organ is one of only five concert organs remaining in a high school in the United States. During the installation of the Estey organ, Andrew Carnegie donated $1,000 to the cause.
All performances were by McClain alumni, along with one current student.
The performances at First Presbyterian Church began with Pastor Mike Anderson playing “Mary Did You Know” and “O Holy Night.” Next, resident organist J. Daniel McCray (MHS 1974) played “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates.” He was followed by Isaac Leaverton (MHS 2007) offering J.S. Bach’s “In Dulce Jubilo,” “Silent Night” and a Brahms arrangement of “Es ist ein Ros’entsprungen.”
The moon chimes were under the direction of Mindy Hunter (MHS 1968). John C. Huffman (MHS 1974) presented “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “Lo, He Comes in Clouds Descending” and “Allein zu dir, Jesu Christ.”
At the First Methodist Church, the program opened with a performance by Susan Long (MHS 1970) of “Adeste Fideles,” joined by the Cockerill bells under the direction of Jo Ellen Gossett. Carol Watts Welk (MHS 1968) followed with “Noel Basque."
Guests also enjoyed the Cockerill bells and David Pettit (MHS 1971).
This first-time event offered the unique opportunity to hear all three of Greenfield’s historic instruments, the chimes and bells and the Greenfield Community Chorus, as well as to join in the convivial joys and exultations of the Christmas season and its special music.
For more information, go to http://www.highlandcountypress.com/Content/In-The-News/In-The-News/Article/McClain-grads-current-student-to-headline-Pipes-of-Christmas-A-Historic-Organ-Tour-/2/20/36075.