First Friday Concert - March 1, 2024 @ 12:10 p.m.

Our musician for our March 1, 2024 First Friday Concert is our very own John Gouwens. Join us at St. Paul’s (1000 Michigan Avenue) at 12:10 p.m. for what is sure to be a lively performance.

John Gouwens served as Organist and Carillonneur at Culver Academies from 1980 to 2019. He is now Organist and Choirmaster at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, and Carillonneur at The Presbyterian Church, both here in La Porte. He is very active in every aspect of the carillon field, including composing and arranging music, authoring a method book for teaching, performing throughout North America and Europe, and consulting on carillon installations (including The Children’s Carillon at The Presbyterian Church). He studied organ at Indiana University (with Clyde Holloway), The University of Michigan (with Robert Glasgow and Robert Clark), and at The University of Kansas. At the latter, his main emphasis, ultimately, was carillon, which he studied with Albert Gerken. He proceeded directly from Kansas to his position at Culver. He has made eight recital tours in Europe, most recently in the summer of 2023, playing recitals in The Netherlands, Belgium, and Poland.


Program

  • Overture, from The Occasional Oratorio................................. George Frideric Handel (1746) | Transcribed by Noel Rawsthorne | (1685–1759)

  • Psalm Prelude, Set 1, Op. 32, No. 1....................................... Herbert Howells. (1915)    (1892–1983)

  • Chorale Prelude from Opus 122................................................ Johannes Brahms. (1896) } O Sacred Head, Sore Wounded  (Hymn 168)  |  (1833–1897)

  • Eclogue, Op. 10 for piano and strings........................................ Gerald Finzi. (1927) | (Transcribed by Robert Gower) | (1901–1956)

  • Prelude and Fugue in E-Flat, Op. 99, No. 3................................... Camille Saint-Saëns

  • Hymn and Improvisation: [Tune to be announced]........................ to be announced

  • Concerto for Harpsichord in D, S. 1054:  1. Allegro.................. Johann Sebastian Bach. (Transcribed by Bernard Winsemius) | (1685-1750)

 

Further recitals by John Gouwens

Sunday, March 17, 4:00pm – Organ Recital at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Valparaiso, Indiana

Sunday, May 19, 3:00pm – Carillon Recital at The Presbyterian Church, La Porte

Sunday, July 7, 2024, 7:00pm – (all-American) Carillon Recital at The Presbyterian Church, La Porte

Sunday, September 1, 7:00pm – Carillon Recital at The Presbyterian Church, La Porte

Sunday, December 1, 3:00pm – Carillon Recital at The Presbyterian Church, La Porte

First Friday Concert Series - January 5, 2024

The First Friday concert at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1000 Michigan Ave., La Porte, will be Jan. 5, at 12:10 p.m.

Michigan City Community Chorus will perform. It has been in existence for more than 50 years. The last 35 years it was directed by the late Lee Meyer. Last fall was the first year it was restored since Covid under the direction of Debra Topolski, with Anthony Holt as accompanist.

The chorus consists of about 20 singers and is always looking for new voices. It meets on Thursday evenings from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Lutheran Church on Coolspring Avenue in Michigan City.

The First Friday concerts are free, with an offering box where attendees can contribute to future events. People are encouraged to bring their lunch and enjoy the half-hour entertainment. A healing prayer is offered at the church at 1 p.m. that day.

The Michigan City Community Chorus
under the direction of Debra Topolski and Anthony Holt as accompanist, will perform:

1. Angel's Carol
2. Christmas Lullaby
3. Hushing Carol
4. The Snow Lay on the Ground
5. Baroque Christmas Festival
6. I Wish You Christmas