Grove City College Dedicates Organ
March 8, 2007 8:22 a.m.
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Grove City College will conduct dedication ceremonies tomorrow for a new organ donated in memory of 1952 graduate Miriam Shellito Parker. Ceremonies will take place at the Pew Fine Arts Center.
The Miriam Parker Memorial Organ was donated by her husband, Royal Parker, a 1952 Grove City graduate. Two years ago, he was inspired to donate the organ after reading an article from the college's alumni magazine, the GeDUNK, about 1988 alumnus J.R. Daniels, who was involved in organ restoration in Pittsburgh.
The tracker organ, which was installed at the campus in January, was built by Fritz Noack of Georgetown, Mass., and produces sound mechanically. Noack used a traditional method of organ building that has been practiced for more than a thousand years. Tomorrow's program will include discussions with Noack and Dr. Richard Konzen, professor of music and college organist Dr. Richard Konzen, a reception and a recital by Konzen.
The Parkers met at the college and sang in the choir together at East Main Presbyterian Church. Royal, a member of Nu Lambda Phi fraternity, and Miriam, a Gamma Chi sister, were both business students. During her years at Grove City College, Miriam Parker took organ lessons under College Organist Stanley Seiple and served as an organist for several churches throughout her life.
Royal Parker, originally from Oil City, Pa., is a retired financial professional who lives in Princeton, N.J.
Copyright 2007 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio