Organ Concert To Be Held Sunday, Aug. 20 to Celebrate Eclipse 

The magnificent Mander organ in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury will be filling the sanctuary with its glorious melodies as a part of the eclipse festivities planned on campus at Westminster College on Sunday, August 20. 

Preceding the concert, Timothy Riley, Sandra L. and Monroe E. Trout Director and Chief Curator of the National Churchill Museum, will present a 2 p.m. gallery talk in the Church on the Church’s architect, Christopher Wren, who was also an astronomer. Following the talk, noted St. Louis organist David Sinden will perform a concert entitled “Music of the Spheres.” 

“From Bach to the Beatles, the ‘Music of the Spheres’ recital by David Sinden will be a musical celebration of light and shadow on the eve of the Great American Eclipse,” says Timothy Riley.  “We are pleased to showcase the majestic Mander organ in the beautiful setting of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury.” 

Selections for the concert will include J.S. Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor,” “Eclipse” (from Dark Side of the Moon) by Roger Waters, “Trivium” by Arvo Pärt, Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune,” “Adante Maestoso” (from The Planets, “Jupiter”) by Gustav Holst, and “Here Comes the Sun” by George Harrison. 

David Sinden has been the organist and director of music at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in St. Louis, MO since 2015.  Prior to this appointment he served for five years as organist and director of music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Capitol Square, in Richmond, VA.  An active promoter of the organ and its music, David has held key positions in several chapters of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and is a former dean of the Indianapolis Chapter.  David is noted for his “centered leadership and solid musicianship.” 

This Sunday organ concert and gallery talk are free with Museum admission ($8.50 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens, $6.50 for ages 12-18, $5.50 for ages 6-11, and free for children age 5 and under). 

Those who missed the Timothy Riley lecture can watch it here.