Veterans Day Concert – Friday, November 6, 2015

Concert featuring Dr. Jeannine Jordan, organ

Celebrate Veterans Day on Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m. as the Peoria Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and First Christian Church, Peoria present a unique multi-media concert entitled “From Sea to Shining Sea.” With stunning visuals, this concert traces the history of early America with some of America’s most-beloved concert organ music. A narration and a live video feed of the organist is provided so that audience can fully understand and appreciate the program.

Admission is $12 Adults / $10 Senior Citizens / Children and Students free. Veterans will also be offered FREE admission for this special concert.

Concert Information

Title: From Sea to Shining Sea: The Organ-ization of America”

Date and Location:

Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m.

First Christian Church
6400 N. University Ave.
Peoria, IL 61614
309-692-1420
www.fccpeoria.org

Artists: Dr. Jeannine Jordan, organ, and David Jordan, media specialist

Admission: $12 Adults / $10 Senior Citizens / Children and Students free. Veterans will also be offered FREE admission for this special concert

Concert Website: www.fromseatoshiningsea.net

Concert Poster: Poster – Veterans Day Concert 2015

Press Release: Press Release – Veterans Day Concert 2015

Concert Description

With this program Dr. Jeannine Jordan, organist, and media artist David Jordan share the fascinating story of early American and how the organ developed in America from its roots in Europe to becoming the premiere social and concert instrument.

Through the voices of organists past, the thrilling performance of their organ music, and the lens of the camera that takes us not only back to 1703 but also in real time to see the magic of creating the music you’ll come to know and love, “From Sea to Shinging Sea” celebrates America, its music, and its musicians!

“From Sea to Shining Sea” begins with Dr. Jordan’s performance of a thrilling uniquely American organ piece, Blithely Breezing Along, composed by Stephen Paulus in 2008 to celebrate the International Year of the Organ.  This riveting piece sets the stage for what the organ has become in the three centuries since it was first brought to the Colonies from Europe.

Following this foray into the 21st century, Dr. Jordan takes us back to 1703 with a quote from a diary describing the “playing of a voluntary on the organ in the gallery, by Jonas, the organist.”  Discovered in a diary belonging to a member of the Mystics of Wissahickon who worshiped in the city of Philadelphia, colony of Pennsylvania, this entry is the first documented evidence of an organist, an organ, and organ music in America.  Against a backdrop of visuals taking us to that wintry day in Philadelphia three hundred years ago, Dr. Jordan plays organ voluntaries by Cutler and Johnson that Jonas may have played on that little organ.

We also enter homes, churches and concert halls on the Eastern seaboard with intriguing anecdotes interspersed with the music of Palma, Bremner, and Selby, all of which could have been played on those first home and church organs in the colonies. You’ll also hear the music of Jennie Allatt, one of the first women in America to become an organist and composer.

The Revolutionary War is vividly brought to life with a musically and visually captivating performance of The Battle of Trenton by James Hewitt (1770-1827). You’ll watch as organs became not only valued church instruments, but stunning and awesome concert instruments filling halls from sea to shining sea; instruments which thousands of people flocked to hear.  You’ll hear the organ music of America growing from its simple humble beginnings to the audience pleasing grand Toccata by Alfred Barnes.

“From Sea to Shining Sea” concludes with a rousing performance of the well-loved organ piece, The Concert Variations on The Star Spangled Banner by Dudley Buck (1839-1909). The bombs burst in air with the rockets red glare as the power of the 19th century American organ music comes alive with this famous and historic piece.

Please join as at First Christian Church on Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m. for this amazing concert.

Testimonial

“Thank you once again for a beautiful and inspiring program last Friday night. It was clear to all of us that you have put an incredible amount of time and effort into its preparation, and I was privileged to be among those viewing it. Jeannine’s exceptional talent at the keyboard and David’s facility with the visual aspects combined for a superb evening. Bravo!”

Graham Hicks, LaGrande, Oregon