Plymouth Park UMC, Irving, organ concert, Oct. 7

Plymouth Park UMC, Irving, presents the second in a series of organ concerts Oct. 7 at 6:00 p.m. Noted organist Bradley Hunter Welch will be guest artist, presenting a varied recital of organ music, from Bach to Reger.

Dr. Welch is Artist in Residence at Highland Park UMC, Dallas. He is also an international recital artist, performing throughout the United States and Europe.

A native of Knoxville, TN, Dr. Welch received his undergraduate degree in organ performance from Baylor University in Waco, and his master's and doctor of musical arts degrees from Yale University.

During his studies at Yale, Dr. Welch won several prestigious performance awards, including the coveted Horacio Parker Memorial Prize. In the fall of 2003, Dr. Welch was awarded first place in the Dallas International Organ Competition, and was also awarded the Audience Prize for the second time, having previously won it in 2000.

Now an active recitalist, Dr. Welch is widely considered as one of the most gifted and talented organists in the country. He has been hailed as a "world-class virtuoso" by the American Organist magazine, and the Dallas Morning News has described his playing as "splendidly idiomatic and communicative," with "rock-solid technique" and "effortless grace."

The organ at Plymouth Park UMC is a 1988 Range organ constructed by the Range Organ Company of Mesquite. Today, it is still the largest musical instrument in Irving, and upon its completion, was featured in the American Organist magazine. The organ boasts over 3,000 pipes which comprise 57 ranks, all of which were crafted in England.

It is a grand instrument, and one of the finest in the Metroplex. Recently, the organ has undergone a $25,000 cleaning and refurbishment thanks to generous contributions from the church’s congregation. Dr. Welch served as a consultant during the refurbishing process.

Tickets to the Oct. 7 concert are $10 and may be purchased at the door. Plymouth Park UMC is located at 1615 W. Airport Freeway, Irving.

For more information, please call 972225-4185 or log on to www.ppumc.org.