E. Carl Freeman Concert Series at River Road Church
Sunday, September 17, 2017
4:00 p.m., Sanctuary
The program will include music by Mozart, Paine, Bovet, Karg-Elert, Vierne, and Widor.
FREE Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
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About Robert Gallagher
Dr. Robert P. Gallagher came to River Road Church as Minister of Music in August 2011.
Bob previously served for ten years as Associate Director of Music at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania and for five years as Minister of Music at Wayne United Methodist Church. In Washington, D.C., he served for eight years as Organist at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle and also taught in the departments of Organ, Conducting, and Liturgical Music at The Catholic University of America. He served as Assistant Organist at Columbia University during his student years in New York.
In addition to serving in church music ministry, Bob has performed as organist, harpsichordist, conductor, and accompanist throughout the United States and Europe. A founding member of the Liturgical Organists Consortium, a group of five organists committed to the renewal of esteem for the organ in the Catholic church, Bob has recorded several CD’s and appeared as a guest on Pipedreams Live.
A native of New York, Bob received a Bachelor of Music in Organ from Manhattan School of Music, Master of Music in Organ from The Juilliard School, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Catholic University of America. He also holds diplomas and prizes in Organ, Harpsichord, and Improvisation from his year of study in Paris.
At River Road, Bob oversees the vibrant music ministry for children, youth, and adults.
In July 2017, Bob played organ recitals in France at the Thierenbach Basilica and the Dijon Cathedral.
Organ Renovation
River Road Church embarked on a capital campaign in 2014 to secure funds necessary for the restoration of our sanctuary pipe organ, and the upgrading of our sanctuary lighting and sound systems.
The River Road Church Möller Opus 10590 organ was built in 1970, traditionally constructed then as it would have been 50 years earlier. The original organ console was connected by a set of relays, switches, and an electro-pneumatic memory system in the organ chambers to the organ mechanism.
The new, moveable, mahogany organ console, includes modern solid-state mechanisms for setting combinations, was constructed and installed in 2016. The installation included a lift and related modifications to the left of the chancel allowing the console to be raised from the organ pit and moved to the center of the chancel for occasions such as concerts.
With the solid-state control systems of modern consoles, thousands of combinations of stops can be stored by the organist. Only a few dozen can be stored with our existing instrument, so the new console will greatly expand the works that can be performed in one service or concert.
A comprehensive mechanical overhaul of the organ has been completed, which required all pipework to be removed to the repair facility for restoration. All wiring was replaced and new leather pouches and tremolos installed. Restored pipes were reinstalled earlier this year.