The Rodeheaver Series for the Performing Arts will present the award-winning composer, conductor and keyboardist John Leavitt in concert Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Warsaw in a program of sacred music spanning the Christian calendar.
The music of John Leavitt has been performed in 30 countries across the globe and his recordings have been featured nationally on many public radio stations. In addition to his achievements as composer, performer, and clinician, Leavitt has also conducted in major venues throughout the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
The concert will begin with Leavitt at the Goulding & Wood 40-rank pipe organ and Steinway grand piano performing his own work, "Venite! Come Let Us Sing to the Lord" and works by Buxtehude, J.S. Bach ("Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring") and Dale Wood.
Then, led by the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir, the audience will be invited to participate in a hymn-sing highlighting the Christian seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter and including "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," Angels We Have Heard on High," "Joy to the World," "O Sacred Head" and "Lift High the Cross."
The choir will be featured on two Leavitt anthems, "In the Shadow of Your Wings" and "Go, My Children, with My Blessing," based on a well-known Welsh folk tune, with Leavitt conducting. Leavitt's highly entertaining secular suite for organ, "Scenes of Childhood," inspired by poems of Robert Louis Stevenson, will also be included on the program.
The Rodeheaver Series for the Performing Arts was established in 1990 to support and foster performing arts and artists in a manner which brings glory to God. Named for the Rodeheaver family, legendary for their development and support of Christian music, and long-time members of First United Methodist Church of Warsaw, the Rodeheaver Series has sponsored more than 50 concerts, recitals and theatrical presentations.
The Leavitt performance, as are all Rodeheaver Series performances, is free of charge, and the public is encouraged to attend.
First United Methodist Church of Warsaw is located at the corner of Indiana and Market Streets downtown, is handicap accessible, and provides listening assistance.For more information on the Rodeheaver Series for the Performing Arts, or for directions to the church, call the church office at 574-267-6933 or visit the church website at www.warsawfumc.org
Leavitt also will be the featured composer and conductor on another concert Sunday afternoon, Oct. 3, at the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center, involving the WCHS Choral Department, North Manchester Junior/Senior High School Choral Department, Tippecanoe Valley High School Choral Department, and the Symphony of the Lakes.
