Dr. Judy Congdon

The public is invited to an organ concert by organist Judy Congdon at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 2, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 401 N. Main St., titled “Memories of Ron McEntire in Music.”

The concert is sponsored by the Mozart Club of Jamestown and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. There is no charge for the concert; instead, a free-will offering will be taken to thank the musician.

McEntire served during his final years, as organist/director of music at St. Luke’s Church. He was responsible for restoring, revoicing and adding digital upgrades to the church’s Aeolian-Skinner 1957 organ, on which Congdon will perform. Prior to St. Luke’s, McEntire served as organist at Christ First United Methodist Church for nine years while he traveled back and forth to Houghton College for his master’s degree studies. Congdon was McEntire’s organ teacher at Houghton University as he fulfilled his lifelong dream of completing a Master of Music degree in organ following his retirement from a financial services career. The program will include works by J. S. Bach and Cesar Franck that McEntire played during his final decade, along with works by several American composers that capture aspects of McEntire’s life and ministry.

Congdon has served since 1991 as professor of organ and college organist at Houghton University in Houghton. Her present and former students include many church musicians and music educators. She has two doctorates, one in Organ Performance and Literature (Eastman School of Music) and one in Worship Studies (Robert Weber Institute). In addition to her teaching duties, Congdon has served as a church organist/music director for more than 45 years, has been a speaker at several conferences, and has had a rich performance career. She has been a featured performer on five CDs.

The Mozart Club of Jamestown is the oldest surviving music club in New York state, formed in 1879 by Governor Reuben Fenton’s daughter and friends. Its goals include providing music scholarships for promising area high school seniors, offering a venue for area musicians to perform, and allowing members, guests, and, on occasions such as this, the public, to enjoy music.