Storrowton Village Museum to host benefit organ concertDate: 4/28/2016 WEST SPRINGFIELD – Storrowton Village Museum will host a benefit organ concert, featuring Barbara Bennett of Hampden, on May 7 at 1 p.m. in the Union Meetinghouse on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition. Proceeds from the $7 admission fee will benefit Storrowton’s Early American Summer Days enrichment program, as well as its music and dance demonstrations.
Bennett, who has been an organist for the majority of her life, will perform hymns on Storrowton’s 1820 vintage Henry Pratt Organ, as well as classical selections on the Allen Organ.
Bennett started studying music at a young age, following after her mother who was a talented cellist and pianist. Bennett took up the violin at age six and continued for several years before switching to piano and later to the organ.
While in high school, she became the organist and choir director in Chicopee Falls. She served in the same position at a church in Springfield, for more than 20 years before becoming the organist and choir director at the Federated Community Church in Hampden. Bennett has been in that position since September 2000.
Some samples of the selections performed during the program include the Early American hymns, “Meditations” from Wondrous Love (1835), “Simple Gifts” from Settings on a Shaker Hymn, “Restoration” from The Southern Harmony (1835), and “Come, O Spirit” from The Union Harmony of 1837.
In addition to the hymns, Bennett will present Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Sheep May Safely Graze” and “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”
Space is limited and reservations are encouraged but not required. Tickets will be available at the door.
For more information and to make reservations, call the village at 205-5051. Visit TheBigE.com to find out about all events at Eastern States Exposition throughout the year.
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