The OPUS 50
Parsons Pipe Organ
Three Manuals, 57 Stops, 51 Ranks
FIRSt lutheran Church
Music Arts Series
Music is an integral part of First Lutheran Church and its mission.
Our redesigned sanctuary offers excellent acoustics.
Our congregation has been blessed with several fine instruments: the Opus 50 Pipe Organ, by Parsons Pipe Organ Builders of Canandaigua, NY; two newly refurbished grand pianos by Premier Pianos of Walker, IA; and a refurbished harpsichord.
Through this concert series we will be able to share the gift of music and these instruments with the community. It is our hope that these concerts and events will bring inspiration and joy throughout the year.
Sing Out! Hymnfest
w/ Dessert & Appetizer Potluck Reception
First Lutheran is hosting the Sing Out! Hymnfest on Sunday, April 28, starting at 3 p.m. This Festival will feature the hymnody of Isaac Watts lead by our First Lutheran musicians including Children’s and Youth Choirs, Resonaré Ringers Handbells, the Intergenerational Brass Ensemble, Adult Choir, organ music, and hopefully YOU with the congregation and community lifting their voices in song and praise!
The
Reception
Following the Festival, we will enjoy an Appetizer & Dessert Potluck in the
lower level fellowship hall, Rm. 104. Please bring an appetizer and/or dessert
to share and plan to enjoy some great food, fellowship and inspirational words
and music!
The Honored
Artist
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) is considered by church scholars as the “Father of
English Hymnody” and his works include such classics as “Joy to the World,”
“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” He was among the first to write hymns texts
based on life circumstances rather than only using scripture. 2024 marks the
350th anniversary of his birth.
— Concerts —
A summary of concert events is below, or
-
The Wolgasts
in Concert
This annual fall event features
Brett and Marita Wolgast, members of First Lutheran's staff for over 30 years.Lunch in the Loft
Music for the Seasons
Midday Wednesday concerts of holiday music in December performed by organists and musicians from the Cedar Rapids community.
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Organists of lowa
This annual concert features an organist from one of Iowa's colleges and universities.
Spring Serenades
In March, area college music faculty will present mini concerts on Wednesdays at noon.Sing Out!
A Hymn Festival
This late-spring event performed by various choirs and instrumentalists of First Lutheran Church with inspirational words and songs.Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section. Once you click into this text area, you will see the filler text disappear.
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Pipes, Pedals & Pie
Monthly summer concerts feature church organists and other musicians from the Eastern Iowa corridor followed by an "old-fashioned" pie & ice cream social.
Great American Organists
Biennial concerts presented by America's renowned concert organists on the Parsons Opus 50 Pipe Organ.Type the content for this list item here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this list item. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section. Once you click into this text area, you will see the filler text disappear.
— Support the Series —
Your donation will be used for musicians’ honorariums and accommodations, concert series publicity and food. Our goal is for this Musical Arts Series to be sustainable annually, through voluntary contributions, with free admission made available to all concert attendees.