If you’re one of those people who attends First Presbyterian Church’s Interlude performances over the summer, you’ve no doubt been surprised that organist (and local force of nature) Angie Jenkins isn’t in the foreground.
“I came onboard as organist in early November of last year, but this wasn’t my first time at the First Presbyterian Church,” says Gray Pearson. “About a year prior, in December of 2023, I got a call from Mike Lancaster, our Director of Music, asking if I could fill in as an oboist for their annual Lessons and Carols service (my undergrad degree is in oboe). Their scheduled oboist had gotten sick at the last minute, and Mike and Angie had called about a dozen unavailable oboists before getting my contact and giving me a call at 10:00 P.M. on Saturday night.
“Fortunately, I was available and made the drive from my home in Weaverville up to Highlands the next morning to play for the service. I graduated from Vanderbilt University the following spring (May 2024). Angie Jenkins called me again to see if I could play oboe for a service that summer and discovered that I also played organ. Knowing that she intended to retire soon, Angie stayed in contact and ultimately asked if I would be interested in serving as interim organist upon my return to Western North Carolina in late 2024. I gladly agreed and have played every Sunday morning since! In January, I accepted a permanent full-time position as Organist and Coordinator of Music Ministry at FPCH.
“The First Presbyterian Church of Highlands is an excellent setting for music-making. Between our bold and ornate organ, and our pristine Steinway Grand piano, there is ample opportunity to make high quality music. Furthermore, the generosity of church members like Bill and Fran Matthews allows us to bring in talented guest instrumentalists for worship almost every week.
“By virtue of my anti-virtuosic introduction to the keyboard, I’ve always been adept at teaching myself when necessary. This skill is the basis for my new concert series at FPCH, Music for Prayer. This casual concert series aims to inspire calm contemplation in a sacred setting. The format is simple: come and go as you please, read a book, write in a journal, or simply close your eyes and enjoy the music. (Every Thursday at noon).
“In addition to my weekly Music for Prayer concerts, we regularly host the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival as well as our very own Interlude Concert series (I’ll be giving an organ masterworks concert on August 6 at 2:00 P.M.).”
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