LETTERS: DON'T FORGET ORGAN RECITAL AUG. 8

To the editor:

I am writing to commend your staff writer, Laura Johnston, and photographer, Lou Peukert, for the excellent article in the July 24 paper featuring Dr. Gary Miller and the organ restoration project at Trinity Lutheran Church.

As a fellow organist, it delighted me to see that your paper still has interest in the many cultural activities that take place in the Cape Girardeau area, specifically those which involve organs and organists.

Organists are becoming more scarce all the time. Many factors have led to this. As stated, it is a difficult instrument to take on and is not likely to be mastered by watching a videotape. It is hard work and takes one who is dedicated to many hours of study and practice. Organs are most usually located in a church sanctuary, which are most always cold in the winter and really hot in the summer, thus discouraging one from wanting to practice. And the list goes on.

However, when people are made aware of such happenings such as the restoration at Trinity Lutheran Church and the recital to be held Aug. 8, it sparks a new interest in what is referred to as the "King of Instruments."

Cape Girardeau should be proud of its musical heritage and of what they have going for them now. Miller and Mary Van-Hoet Miller are both wonderful musicians and are always so willing to lend a helping hand when called upon, as they have been our guests here at First Baptist Church in Charleston many times.

We here in Charleston have been blessed to have wonderful pipe organs and a good number of organists to be such a small town.

So, again, I commend you and your staff for the excellent job you do in promoting activities such as this. And I encourage those in Cape to make time on Aug. 8 to attend the recital at Trinity Lutheran Church.

TERRY A. PARKER

Charleston