i

April 29 Today in OPC History

Festival of Sacred Music

 

On April 29, 1960, the choir of Calvary OPC, Glenside, presented a Concert of Sacred Choral Music, which was then made available to the public through a high-fidelity recording. Charlotte Kuschke directed the choir, and Howard Porter served as organist. Jonathan Male sang "It is Enough" from Mendelssohn's Elijah, Margaret Porter sang "Alleluia" by Mozart, Charlotte Kuschke sang "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth," and Jean Clowney sang "He Was Despised" from Handel's Messiah.

Thomas Birch, who served as organist at Calvary Church until 1958 when two heart attacks forced him to relinquish that position, accompanied the choir on his own composition, "Out of the Depths." It was the experiences in those days of uncertainty with his health that inspired the music of this anthem.

The choir included the following members: Sopranos—Constance Birch, Thelma Greiner, Margaret Porter, Lois Van Eerden, Marcia Zuidema, Arlene Zwart; Altos—Jean Gaffin, Mary Magee, Katharine Stonehouse, Helen White, Lillian Young; Tenors—James Atwell, LeRoy Oliver, Samuel Reif, Lewis Roberts; Basses—John Atwell, David Clowney, John Gaffin, Richard Gaffin, G. Duncan Lowe, Jonathan Male.

Picture: Cover of Recording

 

CONTACT US

+1 215 830 0900

Contact Form

Find a Church