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To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, it seems fitting that a group of very different organizations are coming together to present a concert hailing this milestone year.
The Palo Alto/Peninsula Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the El Palo Alto Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the San Francisco Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and Christ Church Portola Valley and Woodside are presenting an “All-American Organ Recital,” Oct. 18. The afternoon performance will take place at Christ Church in Portola Valley.
Organist Barbara Baird will perform a wide-ranging program of works, all by American composers.
Audiences will recognize some of the works on the program as familiar patriotic songs, such as the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Concert Variations on the Star-Spangled Banner.”
The program also offers selections that are more contemporary or offer new spins on traditional works, including “Partita on ‘Simple Gifts,'” which features composer Noel Goemanne’s treatment of a 19th-century Shaker tune and Joe Utterback‘s jazz-tinged take on the hymn “Shall We Gather at the River.” “We Shall Overcome: A Suite for Solo Organ” by composer Sharon J. Willis pays tribute to the civil rights movement.
Baird recently retired as a professor from a post at the University of Oregon, where she taught for nearly 40 years, and she is also the longtime organist at First Congregational Church, Eugene, Oregon. She has recorded four albums, largely focusing on baroque music.
The event will also feature a Sons of the American Revolution color guard procession, with members dressed in Revolutionary War uniforms.
Oct. 18. 3 p.m., Christ Church Portola Valley and Woodside, 815 Portola Road, Portola Valley; $20 suggested donation; papenago.org.
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