AGO Organ Recital at Messiah Lutheran at Noon on April 9th

The console of Messiah Lutheran's  newly installed pipe organ
(Photo / illustration by Meredith Kilby)

The local AGO (American Guild of Organists) will be presenting an organ concert on Thursday, April 9th at 12:00 Noon at Messiah Lutheran Church, 7740 Hwy 72 West in Madison, Alabama.

Organists Susan Fletcher and Mary Williamson will be the recitalists.

Messiah's pipe organ is just into its first full year of enhancing the worship and music ministries at Messiah Lutheran Church. The church was built in 1993 and a pipe organ was installed shortly thereafter, but a 2011 sanctuary expansion necessitated the need for a larger instrument to be located.  The Organ Search Committee sought an instrument that would not only support Messiah's worship services but also serve as a quality performance and recital organ for the community and the newly formed Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series.  After an extensive search and intensive build process during the summer of 2014,  Messiah dedicated the organ on October 26th, 2014 and held its first recital. 

The organ features over 800 pipes and is located within the upper level of the east transept of the choir area.  This custom built, refurbished organ was designed by Miller Pipe Organ Services with the rich textures of a solid foundation, adding tonal variety and color with reeds and mixtures.  The fine workmanship of the organ builders and the acoustics of the sanctuary combine to give the pipe organ a lively presence and glorious sound.

The event is presented by local American Guild of Organists members, in coordination with Lois Graff, who is the Organist and Director of Music at Messiah Lutheran Church.  Lois also serves on the board of the Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series.

The April 9th concert was originally scheduled March 5th as part of a noontime organ recital series during the Lenten season, but was cancelled due to wintry weather.

The concert is free and all are welcome to attend! 

Arsenal Brass Quintet Performs at Inaugural Music at Messiah Concert

The very first Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series performance took place on November 10th, 2013, and featured the Arsenal Brass Quintet of the US Army Materiel Command Band.   The concert was underway at 4 pm with approximately 125 persons attending the approximately one hour long performance.

The program for the performance can be viewed here.

The Quintet jumped right into playing Rossini's William Tell's Overture from 1829 which put the late afternoon audience on notice that classical music compositions over time can take on modern identities as today most recognize the overture as the theme song to the TV show, the Lone Ranger.  The Quintet played several familiar titles including the frenetic Leroy Anderson's "Bugler's Holiday", a few jazz themed compositions and Sousa's less familiar, yet lyrical, "Fairest of the Fair."  In the final song of the performance,  "Yesterday" by Paul McCartney,  the Quintet reminded the audience that modern music can also take on classical music identities under the artistry of arrangers and musicians alike.   In honor of our Veterans in attendance, the Quintet concluded by playing Service Songs and treated the audience to an encore of Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever.

After the performance many enjoyed light refreshments that were provided by members of Messiah Lutheran Church's group, the "OWLS" and served on a patriotic, Veteran's Day themed table scape which featuring soldier memorabilia, flowers and service flags.

Our next Music at Messiah concert will be Sunday, February 16th at 4 P.M.  The concert will feature "The Oboe Music of Michael Head" performed by Gary Parks, oboe and Ingrid von Spakovsky, piano.

Here are some additional photos of the inaugural concert.  We on the committee would like to thank our musicians and all who came out to attend this wonderful afternoon of music and fellowship.

Welcome to the Music at Messiah Blog Site!

The Music at Messiah Blog site is officially launched.

If you are familiar with Messiah Lutheran Church, you likely already know that music is a cherished aspect of our worship service.  Music at Messiah's goal is to host four to six classically themed concerts throughout the year in our recently expanded and acoustically rich sanctuary.

Most, but not necessarily all, of the concert series will feature “classical music” performed by  professional or semi-professional musicians, including collegiate performers.  We expect to have a mix of organ, choral, vocal soloists, instrumental soloists and  ensembles perform.

Our very first musical performance will honor the service and sacrifice of our nation's veterans and service members. We are thrilled to present "Arsenal Brass,"  a five piece brass quintet from the U.S. Army Materiel Command Band headquartered at Redstone Arsenal. The performance will take place at Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, Alabama on November 10th.  

We are still deciding on the start time, but expect it to be in the late afternoon, beginning at 4 or 5.

We are actively seeking corporate sponsorship for the "Music at Messiah" Posters and Programs.   Here's a sneak peek at the artwork & poster design for our November 10th Concert. 
Thank you for stopping by.  There's much more information to follow.

~ Meredith Kilby for  'Music at Messiah'