Music at Grace to host Patrick Godon Oct.9th
On October 9th at 7:30 P.M. Patrick Godon will be performing a recital that features a 1929 Chicago Kimball Pipe Organ.
This performance is part of a series in Lake Bluff Illinois known as "Music at Grace". How this and other concerts came to be is a lovely story and I hope that you will take the time to let me share it with you.
The Village of Lake Bluff is approaching its 130th anniversary. The village was founded as a Methodist Church Summer camp out near the end of the railroad and it grew into a quaint little village which it has pretty much remained in spite of its north shore location. That camp became the congregation of GRACE Church, the host of the music series.
We have always made a point of including wonderful organ recitals in this series and have had such guests as David Schrader and Stephen Alltop to come and present programs here. The reason for this inclusion is the Kimball. The organ was originally installed in a much larger church in Lake forest and in 1974 it was given to GRACE church as a gift. Though the organ was free the installation was not. It required an extensive addition to the building and a serious commitment by this tiny little congregation to its renovation and up keep. The total cost of the installation was equal to that of a new home in the area and as you can imagine the project was discussed a lot.
It's touching to read the notes regarding the decision to install the Kimball. There was constant reflection on the importance of music and art in a healthy community and the role through the ages that the church has played in the development of music. We have tried to continue this commitment to the arts by giving this concert series as a gift to the community. We charge no ticket and only invite contributions. Other concerts on the series have included ensembles from the Lake Forest Symphony, the CSO's Gene Pokorny, and Otto Carrillo, The Lyric Opera's Mark Fisher, several University Ensembles and our resident Brass Quintet the "Venia Brass Ensemble", but the organ, the church, and their role in the community, are the real story and the reason for my reaching out to you. If there was one more charming addition to this story it would have to be that the original organist, Henrietta Pigg, is still an active member of the congregation and though well into her eighties she was the organist for Sunday morning worship on two separate occasions this season.
Thank you for your time today
If ever you would like to come and tour the pipe room please don't hesitate to call.
sincerely
Joseph Agnew
Artistic Director
Music at GRACE
GRACE umc
Lake Bluff Illinois
60044
847-502-8199