Patriotic Organ Recital Renews Local American Spirit

Posted by Suzie Alvey, November 20, 2012 at 08:46 am

Organist, Matthew Koraus and his wife.

Garden City Community Church hosted the Veterans Day Organ Recital Nov. 18. It was co-sponsored by the Nassau, Suffolk and Queens chapters of the American Guild of Organists.

Musicians included Garden City resident and organist Elizabeth Bailey from St. Bernard's Church in Levittown and Sacred Heart Church in Merrick; director of music Virgil Barkauskas of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Melville; Frank L. Crosio, music minister from Garden City Community Church; organist and choir director Steven Frank from St. Pancras Church in Glendale, Queens; director of music ministries Matthew Koraus from Church of St. Patrick in Huntington and director of music and organist Deanna Muro from St. Joseph Church, Kings Park.

"The program was comprised of many classic works of organ literature that reflect themes common to Veterans Day: pride in our nation, pride in our veteran heroes, remembrance of those who have gone before us, and celebration of the peace and prosperity which our veterans have sought so valiantly to defend and preserve," Koraus said.

Crosio explained, "The organ, built by the M.P. Moller Organ Company, is Opus 10172 consisting of three manuals and 55 stops and was completed in 1966. It was restored in 2005 by the pipe organ restoration experts at Foley-Baker, who also restored the historic pipe organs at Boston Symphony Hall and Duke University."

The concert was followed by a patriotic sing-a-long with the enthusiastic audience. A generous freewill offering was collected and used for relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Sandy. Afterward, a reception with homemade goodies by the ministers was held in the parlor.

For further upcoming concert information with the American Guild of Organists, visit http://liago.info.

On Nov. 25, residents are invited to come to the "Fanfares and Flourishes" concert, performed by Celebrations Brass, at 4 p.m.

Garden City Community Church is located at 245 Stewart Avenue, corner of Whitehall Boulevard. For more information, call 746-1700. All residents are invited.