McAfee, former students to give organ recital

McAfee, former students to give organ recital

Organist Kay McAfee and four of her former students will present a recital at 7:30 p.m. March 4 at First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia. The event is free and open to the public.

McAfee was professor of organ and music history at Henderson for 32 years before retiring in 2002. She was named a Distinguished Alumna of Henderson in 2010, and serves as organist at First United Methodist Church in Arkadelphia.

She will perform Introduction, Passacaglia, and Fugue in E flat minor by Healy Willan.

The performance is part of Henderson’s 125th Anniversary Alumni Recital Series. It will also feature Wes Reed of Nashville, Bryan Bierbaum of Shreveport, Jonathan K. Merritt of Dallas, and Greg Simmons of Lufkin, Texas.

Reed is business systems security and support manager for Dominion Enterprises. He serves as organist and choirmaster at First Presbyterian Church in Hope. Reed will perform “X. Tue s Petra” from Byzantine Sketches by Henri Mulet.

Bierbaum has been director of music and organist at Noel Memorial United Methodist Church in Shreveport since 2007. He is also director of the Shreveport/Bossier City Choral Ensemble and district convener for the American Guild of Organists.  Bierbaum will perform Prelude and Fugue on the name B-A-C-H, S. 260 by Franz Liszt.

Merritt is a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines. He serves as organist for East Dallas Christian Church and is a member of the executive committee for the Central Arkansas Chapter American Guild of Organists. Merritt will perform Adagio in E Major by Frank Bridge, and Fugue in G Major “Gigue”, BWV 577 by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Simmons is organist and choirmaster at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church in Lufkin, Texas. He will perform “Vivace” from Sonata VI in G Major, BWV 530 by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Henderson is celebrating its 125th anniversary by presenting a performance series showcasing some of the university’s best alumni musical talent. Remaining concerts include: pianist Andre Duvall, March 11; and trumpeter Tom Strait, March 31. 

For more information about Henderson’s 125th anniversary and special events, go to hsu.edu/125.