“We are hoping that the recital will be the first of many public performances on this new organ,” said Sarah Michael, chair of Holy Trinity’s Organ Committee.
Organists Robert Wisniewski from Columbus, Bryan Mock (Cincinnati, Christ Church Glendale) and Holy Trinity’s organist Phillip Roberts will play a variety of selections during the recital, which will feature music composed for the organ from the 16th century to the present.
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“The organists will be playing a variety of music to illustrate the different periods of music, and the capabilities of the organ. We are excited to show it off to the community,” said Michael, who has also been involved in the Holy Trinity Choir for 40 years.
Holy Trinity is at 25 E. Walnut St. in Oxford. The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the program at about 4:30 p.m. in the Undercroft of the church. For more details, go to www.holytoxford.com.
Michael said the organ was originally built in 1995 by the J.F. Nordlie Co. of Sioux Falls, S.D., for Faith Lutheran Church in Prairie Village, Kan. Faith Lutheran Church recently closed its doors due to dwindling membership.
The Nordlie Opus 27 was recently purchased, dismantled, carefully packed, and moved to Oxford on two, 26-foot trucks, after nearly a yearlong effort to replace Holy Trinity’s previous organ, which was going to cost more to repair than the purchase of a replacement.
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The church purchased the organ for about $140,000. It cost another $130,000 to move. Today the organ would cost more than $1.2 million to purchase. The project was largely funded from donations the church received from several of its members.
John Nordlie’s crew installed the organ at Holy Trinity in September 2017 and the organ was consecrated on Oct. 29. The organ has been named the Stanley P. Ferch Organ to recognize a donation, given in honor of Ferch after his death.
“We invite the community to come out to see this organ that is unique to Oxford, and to enjoy learning about different types of organs, and to hear some really good organ music. We’re going to hear contemporary pieces, and we’re going to hear pieces from the 16th and 17th centuries. It’s a lovely program for a Sunday afternoon,” Michael said.
WANT TO GO?
What: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church to celebrate the Nordlie Opus 27 with an organ recital
Where: 25 E. Walnut Street, Oxford
When: Sunday, February 11 at 3 p.m. A reception will follow the program at about 4:30 p.m. in the Undercroft of the church.
Cost: Free, open to the public.
More Info: www.holytoxford.com
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