The Rodeheaver Series for the Performing Arts will present internationally acclaimed organist Dr. Jeannine Jordan in a live multimedia organ concert titled “Bach & Sons,” celebrating the life of master composer Johann Sebastian Bach and his almost-as-famous sons Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Warsaw. Admission is free of charge; but donations are appreciated. Jordan performs selections of the organ music by the Bach family composers and also portrays several women connected to the family as well. She has performed this biographical program of the Bach family internationally to rave reviews, including several performances in Bach’s native Germany, in the German language. The performance is accompanied by slides, created by Jordan’s media artist husband, David, of the places the Bach family lived, the churches and courts where the Bachs worked and performed, and also includes live camera shots of the organist’s hands and feet while she is playing, giving every audience member a closer-than-the-front-row seat. Said the artist, “The most exciting aspect of what I do is not just helping tell the great story of Bach and his sons, but with the live camera feeds of Jeannine’s hands and feet, burst video components and magical stills, I am able to present what the music is doing, where the story is going and how it gets there.” They are especially pleased that the constantly changing music and visuals tend to captivate the children in the audience and keep them interested from start to finish, he explained. The program is narrated by Jeannine, using the words of the women who were important in the lives of these composers. The audience will hear Maria Barbara explaining the “choir loft incident,” Anna Magdalena describing the joys and challenges of raising 11 children, Catharina, the daughter who was faithful to the very end, relating poignant moments, and Sara Levy recounting her family’s contribution to the Bach legacy. According to David Jordan, “The fascination of Bach & Sons is the blending of various artistic elements into one story. The expert and historically informed organ performance of Dr. Jordan, who also continually weaves the story together through the narrative of the women in Bach’s life, creates an experience that you will remember forever. It is not so much that the story of J.S. Bach hasn’t been told before, but it has never been told from this perspective and in this way.” Dr. Jeannine Jordan is a champion of the organ and its music. She has traveled through the U.S. and the world promoting and sharing organ music through her concerts, church music ministry, workshops and teaching. Jeannine performs extensively throughout the United States and Europe, as well as Bulawayo and Harrare, Zimbabwe with the National Orchestra of Zimbabwe, at the American ambassador’s residence in Columbo, Sri Lanka, and in various concert series in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and American Samoa. Jeannine has been in church music ministry for more than 40 years serving congregations in the greater Portland area and in Lincoln City, Ore. She has presented music workshops around the world for the organist and church musician and has been invited as a clinician and organist at worship/music conferences around the U.S. She is also a writer, having recently released a book of humorous and poignant stories titled “On the Heels of an Organist” (Lulu Press). David Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Taylor University in Upland, Ind., and his master’s degree in composition from Ball State University, Muncie. His work is in digital art – abstracts with elements of photography and graphic arts. In “Bach & Sons,” David integrates still photos with moving images to create the visual portion of this multi-media experience. In addition to “Bach & Sons,” Jeannine and David have co-created another unique organ and media event called “From Sea to Shining Sea,” celebrating the music and history of the American pipe organ from its earliest days, which they performed in Warsaw several years ago. The Jordans’ performances have delighted music-lovers, educators, historians and organists of every age, and made friends for the organ worldwide. Jeannine Jordan is the president and founder of Pro-Motion Music — a company celebrating the world of the organ with its concerts, organ and media events, publications and teaching studios. More information on the Jordans, their recordings and publications, and performance and workshop schedule can be found online at www.promotionmusic.org The organ is often called the king of instruments because of its incredible tonal and dynamic range and its musical versatility. A performance on a quality organ isn’t simply heard; it is felt as well. Such an instrument is the pipe organ at First United Methodist Church of Warsaw, according to Alan Chambers, Warsaw First UMC. Originally installed in 1915 in time for the dedication ceremony of the building at 179 S. Indiana St., the organ has undergone several renovations, most recently by Goulding & Wood organ builders of Indianapolis, and still includes several stops from the 1915 instrument, currently boasting 40 ranks of pipes plus zimblestern and nightingale stops. The Rodeheaver Series for the Performing Arts, sponsor of this concert, 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 sup-port of Christian music, and long-time members of First UMC, the Rodeheaver Series has sponsored more than 75 concerts, recitals and theatrical presentations. First United Methodist Church of Warsaw is at the corner of Indiana and Market streets in downtown Warsaw, 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
