Cobblestone Museum sets May 26 for progressive organ concert at 3 locations

Provided photo: Scott Schmidt of Medina, who will play the organ at three locations for the Cobblestone Museum’s progressive organ concert on May 26, is shown at the 156 rank Margaret Wendt Memorial Organ in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Buffalo, where he has been given permission to practice.

ALBION – The Cobblestone Society and Museum’s progressive organ concert on May 26 promises to be a memorable and entertaining afternoon, featuring local organist Scott Schmidt playing the organ at three local churches.

The concert begins at 2 p.m. with a wine and cheese reception at the Pullman Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church on Main Street in Albion, next to the Orleans County Courthouse. Next stop will be the First Presbyterian Church on the other side of the Courthouse Square, with the final concert at the Cobblestone Church on Ridge Road, Childs.

At each church, Schmidt has planned a program that will demonstrate the breadth of the musical instruments selected, said Cobblestone Museum director Doug Farley.

Following introduction of the program and instructions by Maarit Vaga at the Pullman church, Bill Lattin will welcome visitors. Schmidt, who will play the church’s 1894 William Johnson and Son Opus 812 organ, has chosen three selections, each of which will be followed by singing of a congregational hymn.

At 3:15, guests will progress to the neighboring First Presbyterian Church, where they will be welcomed by Kevin Gardner. Again, three selections played on the 1875 E. & G.G. Hook and Hastings Opus 789 organ will be followed by singing of congregational hymns.

The Presbyterian Church’s organ has special meaning for Schmidt, as he donated a Zimbelstern for the organ in memory of his grandfather.

He explained Zimbelstern means “cymbal star” in German and is a “toy” organ stop consisting of a metal or wooden star or wheel on which several small bells are mounted. When engaged, the star rotates, producing a continuous tinkling sound. In some Christian liturgical traditions, it is run during the singing of the Sanctus, or on doxological stanzas of hymns.

At the Cobblestone Church, Holley pianist Raymond Santoro will present a musical interlude upon arrival. Farley will welcome guests, followed by three musical selections and congregational hymns played on the 1904 Estey Reed organ.

An added feature will be a narrative by Lattin of the previous hymn and introduction of his 1857 melodian.

Then the guests will depart for the Tavern on the Ridge across the corner (formerly Tillman’s Village Inn) for dinner. A choice of menu selections will be available for concert guests.

Schmidt is an accomplished organist with a lifelong love of the instrument. He first began taking piano lessons at the age of 8, then, following in his grandfather Bill’s footsteps, began taking organ lessons at the age of 12 after his family moved from Tonawanda to Middleport. When his teacher moved away after six lessons, he continued playing on his own, with encouragement from his grandfather.

At age 15, Schmidt became junior choir accompanist at the Middleport United Methodist Church. He has served as organist and choir director at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Lockport, prior to attending college and taking a position as organist at Gloria Del Lutheran Church in Potsdam. After college, he returned to Mount Olive, where he was organist from 1983 to 1988.

He transferred membership to Concordia Lutheran Church in Kendall, where he was organist from 1995 to 1999. In November of 2000, he ordained as a music minister in the First Presbyterian Church USA and was installed as organist and choir director at Barre Center Presbyterian Church. He currently continues as organist there.

Schmidt, a resident of Medina, often plays for other churches in the area. He is also a funeral director with Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, and has spent his entire funeral service career in Orleans County. He is the county’s chief coroner and is a member of several professional and service organizations. He is president of the New York State Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners and president of Orleans Recovery – a community support organization for those affected by the opioid addiction/overdose epidemic.

He has two daughters, Hayley Schmidt, a clinical mental health counselor with Orleans County Mental Health, and Danielle Schmidt, a student at Nazareth College studying communications.

Tickets for the afternoon are $35 for Cobblestone Society members and $40 for all others. Space is limited and tickets are presale only. Dinner at the Tavern on the Ridge (formerly Tillman’s Village Inn) is included.

To order tickets or for more information, call (585) 589-9013 or log on to www.CobblestoneMusuem.org.