Lenten organ recitals continue March 3 in West Dundee
Wonderful music, Lenten reflection, and interfaith fellowship are all hallmarks of the Phyllis A. Lange-Connelly Memorial Lenten Recital series. This inspirational series was founded by Phyllis Lange Connelly, who sadly died in July. Her dream, however, lives on with capable leadership and talented musicians. Eleven area churches sponsor these recitals.
Everyone is invited to listen, reflect, and enjoy music presented by outstanding musicians. This is the 19th year for the series which has been attended by over 1500 people annually.
The sixth organ recital will feature organist José J. Rosado from 3-4 p.m. Sunday, March 3 at St. James Episcopal Church, 516 Washington St. in West Dundee. For directions, call (847) 426-5612The program will be followed by a time of fellowship and a chance to meet Mr. Rosado. Admission is free – donations are accepted to help defray costs.
José Rosado was appointed Organist and Director of Music at St. James Episcopal Church, West Dundee in October 2008 and in February 2013 as Associate Organist at Hinsdale Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He has previously held positions at Ravenswood Presbyterian Church, North Shore Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Calvary United Methodist Church, and Divine Redeemer United Methodist Church in Chicago.
He has performed numerous recitals at several venues including St. James and other churches in the Chicago area as well as a Christmas benefit concert with soprano, Lia G. Aspengren at Shabbona United Church of Christ in Shabbona, Illinois in 2008, and appearing as piano soloist and accompanist with baritone, Nicholas Heath in annual spring and autumn concerts at The Holmstad Retirement Community in Batavia, Illinois.
His love for music especially that of the organ, was evident at a young age. At age 11, he attended an Easter mass with his family and anxiously went up to the organ loft to be able to finally see and hear a pipe organ in person. He marveled as he watched the organist's hands and feet play upon the keyboards and pedals. After service, as they exited the church, he calmly said to his mother, "I'm going to play one of those when I grow up."
José is largely self-taught and has had virtually no formal music instruction. At age 14, he began to teach himself to play piano by ear and learned to read music in a general music class while a sophomore in high school. At age 16 he met Dr. Louis Playford, then organist at Christ Lutheran Church in Chicago. Dr. Playford was impressed by the keyboard knowledge José had attained on his own and was so moved by his enthusiasm and interest in the organ, that he took it upon himself to teach him organ technique and hymn playing for a year, free of charge.
In recent years, José's role models have been fine organists and recording artists such as Daniel Roth, Olivier Latry, Christopher Herrick, Paul Jacobs, Chelsea Chen, Richard Webster, and Nathan Laube, to name a few. He has, and continues to receive their instruction through their live concert performances and many excellent recordings.
A native Chicagoan, José currently lives in Harwood Heights, Illinois and works for Power Solutions International in Wood Dale, Illinois. José's greatest passions after music are cooking and international cuisine, and studying foreign languages and cultures.