ORGAN CRAWL: Folks Will Visit Historic Buildings, Hear Classical Music

September 29, 2013
By: Dave Rogers

The Saginaw Valley Chapter of The American Guild of Organists will present an "Organ Crawl" on Saturday, October 5, 2013.

Organ Crawlers will visit three historic buildings in downtown Bay City and hear a short ten to 15 minute recital on each organ. Other members of the Guild will be invited to play each organ if interested.

The local chapter of the AGO has 43 members who play at various churches in the tri-city area. The purpose of the American Guild of Organists is to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum for mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members. Membership is open to anyone interested in the organ.

The Scottish Rite Masonic Center at 614 Center Avenue houses a three manual and pedal Moller organ of 26 ranks that was installed in 1926.

First Congregational Church, 600 Sixth Street houses a two manual and pedal Felgemaker organ that was installed in 1903 and rebuilt by the Wick Organ Company.

First Presbyterian, 805 Center Avenue, houses a three manual and pedal Casavant Freres organ of 55 ranks that was installed in 1983.

The program begins at The Scottish Rite Masonic Center but guests are asked to use the parking lots at either one of the churches. The Masonic Center has an evening event that may need the parking before the organ crawl finishes.

Nicholas Schmelter, Director of Musical Arts at First Congregational Church in Saginaw will play at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center beginning at 1:30 p.m. The pieces he will play are: Homage March, Edward Grieg, Carillon, Leo Sowerby; Three Marches Militaires, Franz Schubert.

Robert Sabourin, Organist - Choir Director at Trinity Episcopal in Bay City will perform at First Congregational Church, 900 Sixth Street, beginning at 2:15 p.m. with the following: Trumpet Procession, Richard Frey; Two Gospel Preludes, Gerald Near; Darwall's 148th, Healey Willan.

Anna Leppert-Largent, Organist and Director Music will perform at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church at 810 Center Avenue, with the following: Five Short Settings on the Tune Amazing Grace Raymond Haan, Variation on Kum Ba Yah, John A. Behnke.

The event is open to the public free of charge. For more information contact Nicholas Schmelter, Dean of the Saginaw Valley Chapter at 989-754-6565.

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