Mark your calendars for the Cobblestone Museum’s Progressive Organ Concert on Sunday, May 31. This progressive concert begins at 2pm at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church. Tom Wenhold will be the organist for the first of three, short concerts in local churches. The church houses a Felgemaker pipe organ built in 1913, purchased from the A. B. Felgemaker Organ Company, a major American organ builder originally founded in Buffalo in 1865. This grand instrument features over 1,100 pipes. In addition to his over 30 years of organ duties at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, Tom is a Cobblestone Society member and has opened up his cobblestone residence on multiple occasions for our Tour of Cobblestone Homes.
A wine and cheese reception will begin at our second stop, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Medina. Known by Ripley’s Believe it or Not as the Church-in-the- Center-of-the-Road, St. John’s will feature their organist, Patricia Worrad. Guests will be treated to the dulcet tones of the 19th century Hook and Hastings pipe organ from Boston, MA. The organ was rebuilt in the early 1960’s by Schlicker Organ Company in Buffalo. Its tonal scheme is of the early neo-Baroque style with 18 ranks and two manuals, and the musical selections for this portion of our concert have been specifically chosen to enhance the mild nature of this style with the warmth of the late nineteenth century sound.
Our last concert will follow at Holy Trinity Parish Roman Catholic Church in Medina. Local music legend, Aaron Grabowski, will entertain our audience with a well-curated concert designed to accentuate the organ’s French baroque temperament of pure tuning. The organ was first installed in 1913 and has undergone many changes through the decades. As various parts have worn out, replacements have been made with contemporary equivalents.
An optional dinner follows the three concerts at the Tavern on the Ridge at about 5:15pm (formerly Tillman’s Village Inn.) Owner/Chef Chad Pike has selected a choice of three menu items for our concert guests. Those who wish to join us at The Tavern on the Ridge can choose from Cottage Pie, French Ham Melt Sandwich with Arugula Salad or Asian Chopped Salad with Ginger Chicken. Relish tray and dessert will also be served. Coffee or soft drinks are included. (Cash bar available.)
Tickets for the May 31st Progressive Organ Concert are available now and reservations are necessary to join us for dinner. The cost is $20 per person for the three concerts or $50 for concerts and optional dinner. You can order using the form on the last page of this newsletter, visit our website (CobblestoneMuseum.org) or call (585) 589-9013. Some tickets will also be available for the concerts-only at the door on May 31, but the dinner must be reserved in advance and seating is limited, so please respond early.