100th Birthday Organ Recital

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Pipe organs are musical instruments that are known for their distinctive and majestic sounds. 

The public is invited to experience those sounds at Central Trinity United Methodist Church. The free, casual attire event will showcase Artist in Residence Jim McLaughlin’s annual organ recital, which is his 27th in a row at Central Trinity.

“28-years-ago, we rebuilt the pipe organ and this year we’re celebrating the pipe organ’s 100th birthday. So we need to do it sort of big and fancy. It’s just a typical recital with a twist,” McLaughlin said.

Central Trinity always streams their events online but the organ’s 100th birthday celebration offers guests the opportunity to tour the instrument and see the intricacy that’s involved in making its tones. 

“I always have programming that’s unique and I have a couple of brass artists that have volunteered to be a part of the program. Andy Ruetz and Eric Shields, trumpet and trombone, so they will be with the organ. And lot’s of people enjoy singing with organ accompaniment because we can really jazz it up. We can change the key, we can let you sing harmony and have you sing melody. So we’ll have audience participation,” McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin’s organ recital will take place Sunday at 3pm at Central Trinity on 7th Street in Zanesville.

Central Trinity will also host the Civic Chorus’ rendition of Handel’s Messiah 6 p.m. Sunday, December 15th. This year marks their 95th performance and is believed to be its longest running production in the state of Ohio.