First Friday Concert 10/2/26 - John Gouwens

Organist John Gouwens will be the featured artist at the First Friday Concert Oct. 2, at 12:10 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1000 Michigan Ave., La Porte.

Gouwens is organist and choirmaster at the church and carillonneur at La Porte Presbyterian Church.

He studied organ at Indiana University, the University of Michigan and the University of Kansas, where his main emphasis was the carillon. He served as organist and carilloneur at Culver Academies from 1980-2019. Gouwens is very active in the carillon field, composing and arranging music, authoring a method book for teaching and consulting on carillon installations, including the Children's at the  Presbyterian Church.

Gouwens has performed in recital tours throughout North America and Europe, most recently in the summer of 2023, playing in The Netherlands, Belgium and Poland.

St. Paul's is air-conditioned and handicap accessible through the Harrison Street entrance. There is no charge for the half-hour concert, but a free-will offering box is available to fund future concerts.  

John Gouwens – Organist

 

Prelude and Trumpetings (1960)

Myron Roberts (1912–2004)

 

“Aria,” from Cathedral Music

Gunnar Idenstam (born 1961)

 

Preludium in g-minor

Dietrich Buxtehude (1637–1707)

 

Hymn & Improvisation:
Hymn 34; Christ, Mighty Savior

tune by Richard Dirksen (1921–2003)

 

“Prologue,” from A Wartime Sketchbook

Sir William Walton (1902–1983)

(Transcribed by Christopher Palmer & Robert Gower)

First Friday Concert 9/4/26 - Lee Knitter

The fifth series of First Friday Concerts at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1000 Michigan Ave., La Porte, will begin Sept. 4 at 12:10 p.m.

The 2026-27 series will kick off with Lee Knitter, who has been a musician for more than 30 years. His focus is bringing the Gospel to the community through music, singing and playing acoustic guitar. He primarily sings gospel music at assisted living, nursing homes and rehab facilities. He also performs country and folk music.

St. Paul's is handicap-accessible through the Harrison Street entrance and is air-conditioned. The audience is encouraged to bring their lunch for the half-hour program. There is no charge, but there is a free-will offering box to sustain the concerts.

Our October concert will be Organist, John Gouwens.

Lee Knitter

Vocalist and Acoustic Guitarist

Of Gospel, Folk, and Country Music

1. Washed in the Blood

2. When We All Get to Heaven

3. Power in the Blood

4. Amazing Love

5. If I Got Jesus

6. Because He Lives

7. Unfailing Love

8. Victory in Jesus

9. Amarillo By Morning

10. This Is When the Cowboy Rides Away