LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER
731 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026 at 7:30 PM
THE ORGAN ANNIVERSARY CONCERT with guest artist Nathaniel Gumbs
Allegro vivace from Symphonie No. 5 for Organ, Op. 42, No. 1
Chorale in E
Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)
César Franck (1822-1890)
Andante Variations in D Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847)
First Sonata for Organ Florence B. Price Andantio (1887-1953) Finale
My Lord What a Morning Raymond Haan (b. 1938)
Spirit Fantasy
Carl Haywood (b. 1949)
Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 65 Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Allegro moderato e serioso Adagio
Andante recitativo Allegro assai vivace EXCLUSIVEMANAGEMENT KarenMcFarlaneArtists,Inc. www.concertorganists.com
This concert is sponsored by the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Carol and Mike Bell, and Mark and Leta Helsel. All are invited to a reception in Sims Atrium, sponsored by Cathy and Steve Vogel.
Nathaniel Gumbs is a native of the Bronx, NY and has performed throughout the United States and abroad, including Antigua, St. Thomas, Ghana, Paris, and Munich. Dr. Gumbs currently serves as Director of Music at The Riverside Church in New York City. He holds degrees from Shenandoah Conservatory in Virginia (Undergraduate),YaleUniversity(MasterofMusic),andthe Eastman School of Music (Doctor of Musical Arts).
Prior to his position at The Riverside Church, Nathaniel served as Director of Chapel Music at Yale University where he coordinated music for three worshiping communities: the University Church in Battell Chapel, the Yale Divinity School, and the Berkeley Divinity School He also served previously as Interim Minister of Music and Fine Arts at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, NY, and as Director of Music and Arts and Organist at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC.
Nathaniel maintains a vibrant career as a concert organist. He is also featured on various recording projects through GIA publications with Dr. James Abbington, choral projects with awardwinning conductor Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand, andrecordingsof revised choral worksby Margaret Bonds with NY Philharmonic's Chorus Director, Dr. Malcolm Merriweather. Nathaniel is a contributing composer in Pulling Out The Stops, Volume 3, Congregational Song Accompaniments for Organ, published by Augsburg Fortress. Most recently, he released his first organ solo project entitled King of Kings: Organ Music of Black Composers, Past and Present.
This evening we celebrate the anniversary of the Létourneau Organ, Op. 80. The organ was dedicated in worship services on Sunday, December 15, 2002, and inaugurated on Friday, January 17, 2003 with a solo concert performed by Redeemer Organist Sarah Hawbecker.
The congregation of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer eagerly shares this instrument with the community through concerts, worship services, and other musical events. The organ was made possible through gifts from hundreds of generous and committed individuals. The Redeemer congregation has a long history of excellence in music and worship, and this organ has proved to meet the church’s musical and liturgical needs exceedingly well and is a core part of Redeemer’s identity and a foundation for our worship.
We are nearing the end of an Organ Restoration Project. Phase 1, an upgrade to the instrument’s electronics and software, is complete. Phase 2 will replace 156 of the organ’s 4,119 pipes with a stronger tin alloy to restore sound quality, with a project goal of completing installation in the summer of 2026
We are happy to report that thanks to generous donations from many in our community, we have raised the money we will need to complete the pipe restoration, but additional donations are key to replenish our fund to cover any unforeseen expenses as we complete this project, as well as to grow the fund for future projects.
We appreciate every gift! You too can be a part of sustaining this pipe organ’s legacy for decades to come. Thank you for your support!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, March 20, 2026 - 7:30 pm
Bach Birthday Bash
with audience participation and a birthday reception
Featuring JonathanDeLoachandJodyMiller,altorecorders
ChristineDrescher-Jones,harp
SarahHawbecker,organ,piano,andharpsichord
RobTanzola,saxophone
TheCarillonRingers
TheRedeemerChoir
Sunday, April 19, 2026 – 2:00 pm
Steinway Piano Dedication Concert
Thepiano,agenerousgiftfromthelateDr.RoseMaryKolpatzki,willbededicatedinaconcertfeaturing musicforfourhandswithconcertartistsJulieCoucheronandElizabethPridgen.
The Redeemer Concert Series enriches lives through memorable musical events.