Crystal Lake church welcomes acclaimed organist to memorial organ recital June 11
The First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake is honored to welcome acclaimed organist Stephen Buzard to perform on the seventh Wesley and Marie Ann Vos Memorial Organ Recital.
The recital will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at the church, 461 Pierson St. The recital is free and open to the public. Free parking is available and the church is accessible to all.
Free-will donations to help support the Wesley and Marie Ann Vos Memorial Organ Recital fund will be accepted.
Stephen Buzard serves as director of music at the historic St. James Cathedral in downtown Chicago and is often heard playing the pipe organ there during services and other special events.
Ann Tucker, director of music at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, shared her excitement of bringing Stephen to perform for our local community.
"We are very excited to hear Mr. Buzard not only perform, but perform on an instrument that his father created. Our last recital was several years ago due to the pandemic, so it is an honor for us to have the opportunity to host such a fabulous performer and organist."
Stephen Buzard grew up in a household filled with organ music. His father is the president and founder of Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, and his mother is an Episcopal organist and choirmaster. Buzard attended Westminster Choir College where he studied organ performance with virtuoso Ken Cowan. During this time, Buzard recorded his first solo album In light or darkness and won the prestigious Arthur Poister Competition.
Tom Vos, son of Wesley and Marie Ann Vos, commented that this recital would be particularly meaningful.
"This recital series was started in our community by my mother in 2007 to honor my late father and feature prominent organ soloists performing on the beautiful Buzard pipe organ at First Congregational Church. My mother passed away in January of 2014, and with some time now since her passing, it seems fitting to include her with my father in the memorial dedication. With the pandemic delay, the renewed dedication, and Stephen's meaningful performance, I find it fitting to consider this upcoming recital a kind of homecoming celebration. It will be a magical afternoon."
Stephen Buzard was called to Chicago and the St. James Cathedral in 2016, following in the footsteps of other prominent organists including Dudley Buck, Clarence Dickinson, and Leo Sowerby.
In addition to maintaining the church's excellent musical heritage, he founded a chorister program for boys and girls and an organ scholarship to train the next generation of church musicians.
Ray Tower, co-chair of the recital planning committee, shared another reason why this event will be so special.
"This upcoming recital will also be dedicated to my late spouse and long-time FCC member Beverly Tower. Bev was a supporter of the FCC Music Ministry and sang in the Vestry Choir. She was also a talented pianist and organist who would often substitute on the organ at FCC when needed. She was an avid supporter of this memorial organ recital series. At this upcoming recital, Stephen Buzard will perform by request an arrangement of the song The Lost Chord by Arthur Sullivan in honor of Bev as this was a favorite piece of hers."
Stephen Buzard appears courtesy of Karen McFarlane Artists Inc. and more information about him can be found on their website at www.concertorganists.com/artists/stephen-buzard/.