...concert by Kathryn Sparks

As mentioned in my previous post, I attended a classical music pipe organ recital by the Music Director of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, Ms. Kathryn Sparks. And to my observant eye and ear, another organist and one of my former chorale directors, Ms. Emily Borling must have been playing the second organ in the upper balcony.

Folks, this is not your typical organ music that you remember from your small church days. Kathryn's music venue proved to be well-thought out, choreographed and inspirational. By the passionate way in which she played, you could tell that she is one of those people (such as myself) who hears God through her music.

She used the full range of the 2002 Schantz Chancel Organ (in front of the pulpit) and the 1972 Casvant Gallery Organ (located in the upper balcony), which included sounds such as flutes, reeds, and small tinkling bells, in addition to more classic pipe organ sounds such as trumpets, stately brass, and the mellow lower pitched tubas.

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire concert. Favorite pieces included "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" by J.S. Bach and "Fanfare for the Common Man" by Aaron Copland, that somehow ties in my memory to one of the films I've seen out at Space Center Houston. In addition, Kathryn put together an artistic piece using happier moments from "The Lord of the Rings" by Howard Shore combined with beautiful images from the film trilogy.

Perhaps the most joyful part of the concert occurred when Kathryn and yes (noticeably to the trained ear, a second organist friend), played some of the lighter flute and reed tunes from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite, Opus 71a". The delight of playing the pieces showed in the light finger work as Kathryn gleefully played "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy", and the creativity of the two organists combined in "Marche Characteristique".

The overall concert experience was delightful. The presentation of the keyboard and the footwork shown on two separate video panels made this concert an event to remember.