Monday, November 05, 2007

Chautauqua County Things to Do

Stafford To Play At St. Luke's On Friday
 
By The Post-Journal Staff, editorial@post-journal.com

 Joshua Stafford
11/5/2007 - Concert organist Joshua Stafford will return to his native Jamestown to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Aeolian Skinner organ at St. Luke's Episcopal Church by performing in concert at 8 p.m., Friday. St. Luke's Church is located at the corner of Fourth and Main streets.

Stafford is a second-year student of Alan Morrison at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music where he studies on a full-tuition scholarship. He began piano studies at the age of 6. His interest in the organ was sparked at a Pipe Organ Excursion held by the Chautauqua AGO that he attended at the age of 10.

For several years thereafter, Stafford was mentored by R. Richard Corbin, serving as his assistant at St. Luke's Church in Jamestown. In December 2005 he assumed full responsibilities of organist and choirmaster at St. Luke's following the illness and passing of his friend and mentor.

Stafford has won numerous awards and prizes including first prize in the 2006 Westminster Choir College Organ Competition, first prize in the 2007 Philadelphia AGO Competition for Young Organists, and second prize in the 2006 AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists.

He has performed recitals across the country, including postlude concerts for the Philadelphia Orchestra on the country's largest new concert-hall organ at Philadelphia's Kimmel Center. He is also a regular performer on the world's largest outdoor organ, the Massey Memorial Organ at Chautauqua Institution, and the world's largest organ, the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ at Macy's in Philadelphia.

Stafford has also been named this year's organ scholar at Washington Memorial Chapel.

In May 2007, Stafford traveled with the Curtis organ department to Paris, where he had the rare opportunity to play many of the city's beautiful and historic organs including an evening at the famous organ of Notre Dame Cathedral. Stafford is currently Organist and Choirmaster of the Episcopal Church of St. John in Bala Cynwyd, Pa.

Tickets for the concert are $20 adult, $15 senior, $7.50 college student. Children 18 and under are admitted free with an adult ticket holder. Group rates are available. Tickets may be purchased at the Reg Lenna Civic Center box office, Germaine and Pappalardo Music Shoppe or at the door. Call the JCA at 487-1522 or the RLCC box office at 484-7070 for more information.

Special sponsors for this concert are Jamestown Community College and PowerNet Global Communications. JCA is supported in part by NYSCA, United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.
 
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