Dr. Marilyn Keiser Recital Recap

On March 18, the chapter presented a recital played by Dr. Marilyn Keiser in recital at Grace United Methodist Church in Baltimore. Co-sponsored by the Baltimore Chapter and the Music at Grace Concert Series, the recital served as the rededication of the 129-rank Möller/Walker organ by Angerstein Organ Works, Ltd. Marilyn’s program was a tour through the colors of this instrument and included works by Mendelssohn, Handel, Rheinberger, Locklair, and Vierne. Paying tribute to the supporting role this instrument plays in congregational singing and highlighting her own background as a professor of sacred music, Dr. Keiser recruited the 125 voices present in the church to sing four verses “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” (AUSTRIAN HYMN). This was followed by the Concert Variation on the Austrian Hymn (Op. 3) by John Knowles Paine and two hymn-tune preludes, a setting of “Be Thou My Vision” (SLANE) by Craig Phillips and a “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” (OLIVET) by Mark Jones, a former student of Dr. Keiser.

Before the evening recital, Grace United Methodist hosted a masterclass for students from the Peabody Institute in Baltimore. Dr. Keiser shared from her wealth of knowledge and experiences, and included the wisdom shared with her from Alec Wynton – “In your role as a church musician, you are first, pastors; second, teachers; and finally, performers.”