Grace United Methodist Church marks organ’s 20th anniversary

Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville invites the community to a concert celebrating the 20th anniversary of its organ at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the church, 300 E. Gartner Road.

The Reuter pipe organ — Opus 2222 (3 manuals, 41 glorious ranks) — is hitting a major milestone: 20 years of music, majesty, and ministry.

In addition to the church’s own gifted principal organist, Josè Rosado, they will be welcoming back concert organist Stephen Buzard as the featured guest.

Buzard currently serves as the director of music at historic St. James Cathedral in downtown Chicago. The concert also will feature the chancel choir, accompanied by Stephen Buzard and Jon Warfel, as well as several glorious congregational hymns, for a joyful and powerful 60-minute musical celebration.

From 3:15 to 3:45 p.m., enjoy a pre-concert talk with Dean Christian that takes you behind the scenes into the story of this incredible instrument — how it came to be, how it sings, and why it still inspires. Christian, organ tuner and overseer of the Reuter since its inception, will be joined by several members of the original organ committee, as well as Rosado.

And be sure to stay after! The Organ Celebration Committee will serve up light refreshments in the Gathering Space immediately after the concert. For information, visit facebook.com/gracenaperville/.