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Recital celebrates 10th anniversary of Hartness Organ


Last updated March 16, 2014

By Tina Underwood

Tompkins mergedCelebrating the 10th anniversary of the installation and dedication of the Hartness Organ at Furman, Professor Charles Tompkins and the Furman University Chamber Choir will present a recital Thursday, March 20 at 8 p.m. in the Charles E. Daniel Memorial Chapel on campus.

The recital is open to the public and marks the first in a year-long series of events commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Hartness Organ at Daniel Chapel. A Sound Quality Series program, tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students.

With Dr. Tompkins performing on the Hartness organ (C.B. Fisk, Opus 121), Furman junior Philip Reed of Greenville will lead the 30-voice Chamber Choir prepared by Professor William Thomas.

The recital features selections from J.S. Bach including “Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major;” “Pastorella;” four organ chorales including “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme,” “In Dulci Jubilo,” “Herzlich thut mich verlangen,” and “Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend;” and “Fantasia and Fugue in G minor.”

The Hartness Organ was given in 2004 by the late Tom and Edna Hartness in honor of Bobby and Becky Berry Hartness.

For more information about the recital, contact the Furman University Music Department at 864-294-2086. Tickets may be ordered by calling the same number, or purchased online at this link.

About Charles Tompkins

Dr. Charles Tompkins, Professor of Music and University Organist, joined the Furman Music Department faculty in 1986. He also serves as organist of First Baptist Church in Greenville. Tompkins received his doctorate in organ performance from the Eastman School of Music and was awarded Eastman’s Performer’s Certificate in recognition of outstanding performing accomplishment. He holds the bachelor of music in organ performance from Eastman and the master of music from the University of Michigan. Tompkins is an active recitalist and clinician who performs each year at major universities and churches throughout the United States. He has presented recitals at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Piccolo Spoleto Music Festival in Charleston, S.C., and at national and regional conventions of the American Guild of Organists, the Music Teachers National Association, and the College Music Society. Tompkins’ performances have been broadcast nationally on American Public Media’s “Pipedreams,” and his debut CD, Solemnity and Joy, was released in 2001 on the Pro Organo label.

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