To kick-off our month-long September organ “recital” in honor of the 40th anniversary of the dedication of GMPC’s organ, we have four generations of organists represented this Sunday, September 6th.
The youngest organist is Will Johnson. Just 12 years old, Will began organ lessons in 2019 with Mrs. Jean Hatch. He also plays piano, having begun his studies with Mrs. Ellen Tew when he was in second grade. Will has made great progress and shows promise as an organist. This summer he enjoyed “participating” in the annual American Guild of Organist’s (AGO) annual national conference by watching several of the performances via the internet.
Ian Parker has shared his musical gifts with the GMPC family for the last several years. From a musical family, Ian had played piano for quite awhile before beginning organ lessons with Mrs. Pam Langston in 2012. He continues to study with Lara Capparuccia from time to time. Ian is also a dedicated choir member at GMPC and studies voice with Mrs. Barbara Taylor. Ian celebrated his 28th birthday last week.
Also an August baby, Lara Capparuccia (b. 1969) bridges the generation gap between these youngsters and Dr. Peek. Lara began her piano studies at the age of 5 and continued into college where she began studying organ with Mrs. Susan Horton at Campbell University. She has also studied with Janet Cherry of Meredith College and Dr. Andre Lash of UNC Greensboro. Lara is a long-time member of the AGO. Besides piano and organ, Lara also studied saxophone, percussion, and composition on the collegiate level.
The pieces which will be presented throughout the month of September were chosen by the performer of the 1980 dedicatory recital, Dr. Richard Peek (1927-2005). Dr. Peek was a prolific composer and long-time church musician. At the time of his death, he was the Minister of Music Emeritus at Charlotte’s Covenant Presbyterian Church where the Peeks first came in 1952 to establish and lead a music ministry. Richard and his wife Betty spent 47 years leading the music ministry at Covenant. Over 150 of Dr. Peek’s compositions of organ and choral works have been published.
Shared by Lara Capparuccia
Our organ is indeed a wonderful thing to celebrate. Thank you.
Nice article. Have enjoyed hearing the organ performances. Anabelle Fetterman would be happy that these musical experiences are being revisited.