New York, NY (Top40 Charts) To dedicate its brand new Anne S. And Henry B. Paup Sanctuary Pipe Organ, the third largest instrument of its kind in Texas, First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth presents Dr. Bradley Hunter Welch in a dazzling evening concert on Sunday, March 22 at 5:00 pm, with a reception following featuring the Debbie Brooks String Quartet.
Welch, whose thriving solo concert career has him performing approximately twenty concerts annually nationwide, is a winner of numerous prestigious international organ competitions and featured artist at American Guild of Organist conventions, international festivals, and as soloist with symphony orchestras from Michigan to Dallas and Fort Worth. Welch has taught at both Southern Methodist University and Baylor University and served as
Director of
Music and Arts/Organist at
Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas,
Texas from 2009 - 2014.
The Dan Garland pipe organ Welch will be playing is said by Garland to be his magnum opus among the more than 50 pipe organs he has built nationwide in his 40-year career as organ builder. "It's such an honor to be here and fulfill not only my dreams, but, I think, the dreams of the church to have a truly world-class instrument that will be an incredible addition to this church, the congregation, and the community."
Acknowledging that the installation of a new instrument is always an exciting time in a church, Welch says he is impressed not only with the new Anne S. And Henry B. Paup Sanctuary Pipe Organ, but also with the Sanctuary it calls home. "This instrument is fabulous," Welch says. "It's such a great marriage to this room, and the possibilities are nearly infinite."
Although he has never visited FUMC Fort Worth before, Welch says that he is very familiar with Garland Pipe Organs. "I've played Dan's instruments before and he's always built instruments that are very eclectic and versatile. This one has those qualities magnified to the third power. It's got every single color (type of sound) you can imagine." Comparing playing a new Garland Pipe Organ to being in a new candy store, Welch adds, "This instrument is representative of all the flexibility, versatility, and wealth of color that Dan builds in his organs, and this one is his largest. It's exciting to be able to share this incredible instrument with everyone."
Welch's concert will open with Toccata in B Minor (Eugene Gigout) and will include five selections by a variety of composers; a John Thornburg hymn specially commissioned by FUMC Fort Worth in honor of Dan Garland's artistry, dedication and friendship; and will conclude with a
Chorale Fantasy on LOBE DEN HERREN (Aaron
David Miller) composed for Dr. Bradley Hunter Welch.
Extending invitation to this one-in-a-lifetime event to the general public and extended church community, Senior Pastor Dr. Tim Bruster says, "As we come together to celebrate this magnificent instrument, we give thanks for the gifts of our guest organist, Dr. Bradley Hunter Welch - and for all the musical talent that has and will yet be such important moments of our First Church music history."
