'Wow' Recital Celebrates Immanuel's New Pipe Organ

All anyone could say was "wow" over and over again as Dr. Joyce Jones shared her tremendous talents playing the church's new three-manual Casavant organ Sunday afternoon.

Immanuel Baptist Church hosted a dedication service and recital to celebrate its new organ, replacing the one that burned in a fire three and a half years ago. What the full house of church family and community experienced surpassed expectations. It was 90 minutes of spectacular music and sounds that those in attendance will not soon forget. "Wow" was the comment repeated over and over again as Dr. Jones poured herself into each song. Powerful sounds echoed throughout the sanctuary. Sounds that Malissa Heath, Immanuel's gifted church organist, appreciated probably more than anyone in the pews.  

Senior Pastor Jamie Broome, organ builder and Vice President of Casavant Freres Simon Couture, Immanuel Associate Pastor Gina Brock and Music Director Lisa Holm kept saying, "wow". As Jones praised the quality of the organ, others praised her skillful presentation and articulate and entertaining histories of songs and details of the organ's capabilites. Her world travels which include playing other similar pipe organs were shared and transformed the afternoon into an art appreciation experience. As Jones played her final song, the crowd rose to its feet with spontaneous applause.

During her weekend in Paducah, she also provided music appreciation workshops for students and an organ seminar for local organists. She told the audience Sunday afternoon that when her hosts would tell her it was time for a dinner reservation or other planned appointments, she would ask for "thirty more minutes to play. I wanted to spend all my time playing this grand organ, the largest of the musical instruments made to glorify our Lord."

Jones, professor of music and organ at Baylor University, renowned for her legendary pedal technique, has given concerts in 47 states and 12 other countries, including venues such as the Mormon Tabernacle and Notre Dame Cathedral. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas and a Master of Sacred Music degree in composition from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

The custom design organ was installed last year, following an 18-month construction at Casavant Freres in Quebec, Canada. It replaced an instrument – comprised of several different organs – which was destroyed by fire in December 2008. Pastor Broome complimented and thanked those who had helped with directives for the building of the extraordinary pipe organ, including former music director Steve Skaggs who was not able to attend the dedication.