Methodists plan concert to rededicate pipe organ

The First United Methodist Church of Clarendon is inviting everyone in the community and surrounding area to attend a special dedication concert for the church’s refurbished pipe organ this Sunday evening, September 17, at 7:30.

The Hillgreen-Lane pipe organ was originally installed 82 years ago in September 1918.

Over the last several months, the organ has under gone a complete reconditioning to bring back the instrument’s original capabilities. In addition, a Rodgers digital organ has been incorporated with the original, taking its abilities to new heights.

Demonstrating the refurbished organ in concert will be Eleanor Whitsett of Bethany, Okla.

Whitsett is a graduate from Asbury College with a major in piano and was a featured performer at Asbury’s centennial celebration. She holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City with a major in organ performance. She has also done graduate work at the University of Southern California at Oklahoma City University.

Whitsett studied improvisation at the Summer Academy for Organ at Haarlem, the Netherlands, and also studied organ and improvisation in Herford, Germany. She is a member of the American Guild of Organists, has conducted workshops and given recitals sponsored by the organization, and is a past dean of the Oklahoma City chapter. She is also a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.

In May, Whitsett retired as Adjunct Professor of Organ and Church Music at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, where she had served since 1974.

“We are excited to have Ms. Whitsett here for this performance,” said Methodist pastor Rev. James Ivey Edwards. “We wish to share her talent as well as the wonderful sounds that will come from our new organ with the entire community. Please plan to join us.”