Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church will fill with music today, thanks to a new digital Allen GX335 GeniSys series organ church officials have installed.
The church’s music director and organist, Becky Gard of West Mifflin, will be joined by her brother, Patrick Gard, who is the music director and organist for St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Williamsville, N.Y., for a dedication service and recital at 4 p.m.
Gard, 41, who also plays harp, is a Duquesne University graduate with a degree in music education. She spoke with the Tribune- Review about the organ and the dedication service.
Q: Were you and your brother both musical throughout your younger years? How did you both get interested in organ and religious music?
A: We have been immersed in music, particularly church music, our entire lives. We both began piano at age 4 seated on the bench next to our grandmother. She started us with scales and chord progressions only, learning pivoting and ear training before we ever learned to read music.
This foundation gave us a huge head start on our journey as musicians. We continued piano throughout our elementary years, I picked up the harp at 6 and Patrick began upright bass in fourth grade. Over the years, we added numerous guitars, wind and percussion instruments.
Our mother was a music teacher and also directed hand bells in the Methodist church we grew up in. We were always involved with bells and choirs in church during our youth. Patrick and I were always intrigued by organs and loved watching and listening to the fantastic organist, Herb Taylor, that had residency at our church.
Patrick began organ lessons at 12, studying with Freeman Bell, and I began at 14. There is just something so beautiful about being able to sit down and play such an amazing, versatile, powerful and challenging instrument as an organ. It has captivated both of us for our entire lives.
Q: Does this Allen organ have any features you’ve never seen or used before?
A: This organ has fantastic capabilities with digital samples of organs from all over the world. The GeniSys technology, which includes thousands of digital samples, essentially makes absolutely anything possible.
There are digital effects for thunder, wind, applause and even laughter available. The possibilities are endless. Patrick has prepared some of the greatest works for organ to help showcase what the new instrument can do, including the “Suite Gothique” by Leon Boëllmann and “Toccata from Symphony for Organ No. 5 in F” by Charles-Marie Widor.
We always love when we have the chance to play music together. Being in different states, we don’t get to often, so that’s an added bonus for us.
Newlonsburg Church is at 4600 Old William Penn Highway in Murrysville.
