Tuesday recital to feature ‘Amazing Grace’

JOHNSTOWN ― A toccata on “Amazing Grace” will highlight an organ recital at noon Tuesday at First Lutheran Church, 415 Vine St., in downtown Johnstown.

Aaron Sproul, associate director of music of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Pittsburgh, will play the work by Chris Pardini and also pieces by Dubois, Locklair, Dupre, and Alain. His selections are suited to the romantic nature of First’s restored 3,000-pipe Skinner organ.

Sproul holds a bachelor of music degree with concentrations in sacred music and music technology from Duquesne University. There he studied with Dr. Ann Labounsky and sang in the Pappert Chorale. He is co-director of the Organ Artists Series of Pittsburgh, which presents world-class recitals throughout the Pittsburgh area. He also is active in the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Sproul has played organ recitals at Heinz Chapel, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church and First Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, and, more recently, at Westmont Presbyterian Church in Johnstown.

His recital will be followed by a light lunch. There is no charge; all costs of the 12-recital series have been pre-paid by donations.