Organist Performs Sept 11 'In Memoriam: A Musical Tribute' Concert

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Concerts on the Hill presents “In Memoriam: A Musical Tribute,” featuring organist Katelyn Emerson at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, according to a press statement. This is the fifth of six performances in the series. There is a suggested at-the-door donation of $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Children under 16 are welcomed and encouraged to attend at no charge.

On the 15th anniversary of September 11, 2001, “In Memoriam: A Musical Tribute,” offers a musical journey reflecting the ways we honor grief, cultivate memories of those lost, find peace and ultimately remind ourselves of the precious gift that is life. The program will include César Franck's compelling Pièce Héroïque, as well as the emotionally stirring music of Maurice Duruflé, Herbert Howells, Jehan Alain, Marcel Dupré, and J.S. Bach.

Rising star and organist Katelyn Emerson appears as part of Concerts on the Hill hot on the heels of her return from a year in France, where she studied organ, harpsichord, fortepiano, and continuo at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional in Toulouse as a J. William Fulbright Study/Research Grant recipient. Katelyn recently won first prize in the prestigious National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance. She is an alumna of the Young Organist Collaborative and a native of York, ME.

Emerson performs throughout the United States and Europe, showcasing her repertoire spanning from the 14th-21st centuries. She has performed in numerous venues, notably including the Hallgrímskirkja (Iceland), Cathédrale Poitiers (France), Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic Hall (Russia), Cathédrale St-Quentin (Hasselt, Belgium), the Hauptkirche St. Petri (Hamburg, Germany), the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ of Merrill Auditorium (Portland, ME, U.S.A.), Severance Hall (Cleveland, OH, U.S.A.), and Reith Recital Hall at Goshen College (IN, U.S.A.).

The program includes a debut appearance by Marshall Joos on the organ. Marshall is a rising 8th grade student in Dover, NH. He has studied the organ for two years with Lorrie Dodson through the Young Organist Collaborative, and recently won that organization's Penn Brown competition for advanced organ students.

“As long as humans have been making music, it has been part of the process of emotional healing,” reflects Margaret Harper, Director of Music and Liturgy, St. John’s Episcopal Church. “On the 15thanniversary of 9-11, we wanted to pay tribute to those that were lost by playing a collection of works that reflect the range of emotions we experience as part of the grieving process. It seemed appropriate to feature works for the organ, as it is the most emotional and expressive of instruments."

At each performance of Concerts on the Hill, audience members will have the opportunity to hear directly from the performers about the musical selections and the featured instruments.

The final Concerts on the Hill performance, “Heroic Fanfares,” will take place on October 2 and featureDr. Robert Stibler, Mark Zielinski, and Adam Gallant on Trumpet, as well as Margaret Harper on Organ. The program is a jubilant celebration of Baroque music for organ and brass. St. John’s Episcopal Church is located at 100 Chapel Street in Portsmouth.

For more information about Concerts on the Hill or St. John’s Episcopal Church, visit stjohnsnh.org/COTH.

Katelyn Emerson, organist.

Submitted by Caroline Amport Piper.