FIRST GRAPEVINE UMC HOSTS NOONTIME ORGAN CONCERT SERIES DURING HOLY WEEK TO BENEFIT UKRAINE
GRAPEVINE, TX (March 29, 2022) — First Grapevine United Methodist Church presents its first-ever noontime Organ Concert Series during Holy Week on April 11, April 13, April 14, and April 15, in the Sanctuary, 422 Church Street, located one block west of Main Street. Admission is free and open to the public, and donations will be accepted after each performance for humanitarian aid in Ukraine through the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Each day at noon, a local organist will offer a thirty-minute music presentation appropriate for Holy Week.
"We wanted to host this concert series for all to attend during their lunch break, hear wonderful musical arrangements, time for reflection and prayer for Ukraine, and an opportunity to donate to Ukraine," said Jason Chavarria, Director of Worship and Music.
On Monday, concert organist Bradley Welch will perform a varied and wide-ranging program of organ selections. Bradley is no stranger to First Grapevine's organ, as he re-dedicated the current instrument upon the addition of its new acoustic organ pipes in 2016. Bradley is an artist-in-residence for Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX, and serves as the resident organist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
On Wednesday, organist Ken Surley will present a selection of reflective organ pieces appropriate for the Lenten season. Ken is an organist at Plymouth Park United Methodist Church, where he has served for thirty years. He is certified by the American Guild of Organists and has played worldwide, accompanying various choirs and ensembles.
On Thursday, well-known organist and pianist Scott Ayers will provide an organ and piano selections program. Scott is the former organist of Highland Park United Methodist Church. He currently hosts a popular weekly Facebook Live broadcast where he plays arrangements of hymn requests online. During Ayer's program at First Grapevine, he will be taking hymn requests.
On Friday, First Grapevine's organist and master musician Linda Love will be offering a program of hymns and prayers appropriate for Good Friday. Linda has had a long career as an organist, accompanist, vocal coach, and director of the Fishers of Men, the men's choir ensemble at First Grapevine.
First United Methodist Church Grapevine
First United Methodist Church Grapevine is a 501(c) organization based in Grapevine, Texas, providing numerous services to the local community and worldwide by partnering with organizations such as Blankets of Hope, Furnishing Hope, Feed Our Kids and more. First Grapevine also partners with the Grapevine Police Department's Community Outreach Center to provide an after-school program for low-income and at-risk families in the area, VAST. First Grapevine's outreach missions extend to Costa Rica, Kenya, and Latvia. For more information, visit its website at www.FirstGrapevine.org or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Grapevinefumc
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