The organ recital series at the First Congregational Church of Marion will continue on Sunday, June 24, at 5:00 pm with a program of music chosen by soloist Frederick Jodry to show off the church’s historic 1883 George S. Hutchings mechanical-action organ.
Louis Frederick Jodry V holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organ Performance and a Master’s degree in Performance of Early Music from New England Conservatory, where he won the Chadwick Medal for distinction both in musical performance and academic excellence. While completing his studies, Jodry founded the Schola Cantorum of Boston, a 12-voice ensemble dedicated to the performance of Renaissance sacred music.
In 1987, Jodry was first-place winner in the Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists Young Artists Competition. He has been heard in recital in Europe and throughout the U.S., including cathedrals in Seattle, Cleveland, Portland, Paris, and most recently at Trinity Church, Wall Street. Currently, he is serving as music director at First Unitarian Church in Providence, where he is also director of choral activities at Brown University.
In addition to the Great Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor, BWV 542, of J.S. Bach, three chorale preludes by Johannes Brahms from his Op. 122, and César Franck’s Prélude, Fugue, and Variation, Op. 18, Jodry will perform works by James Woodman and Craig Phillips based on familiar hymns, which the audience will be invited to sing.
The First Congregational Church in Marion was built in 1841. In early 1884, a new organ by noted builder George S. Hutchings was installed with the help of a gift from local philanthropist Elizabeth Taber. Since 2015, the church has presented recitals on this organ by outstanding organists, including Christa Rakich, Stephen Young, Carson Cooman, Jeremy Bruns, and Robert Jan August. The Rev. Mary Ann Purtill is the newly installed pastor of the church and Beverly Peduzzi is organist/choirmaster.
Tickets for the recitals at $10 may be purchased at The Bookstall on Front Street in Marion and at the door. For more information and reservations, call 508-748-1053. The First Congregational Church, located at 28 Main Street at the corner of Front and Main in Marion, is handicapped accessible.