Renowned organist, Dr. John Weaver, at the new Rodgers three-manual organ in Corinthian Hall, acknowledges applause during the Dedicatory Recital Nov. 7.

More than 500 persons enjoyed an outstanding Dedicatory Recital on Sunday, Nov. 7, by the renowned concert organist, Dr. John Weaver, on the new three-manual Rodgers organ in Corinthian Hall at the Masonic Temple, Philadelphia. Dr. Weaver has been head of the Organ Department at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia since 1972, and Chair of the Organ Department of the Julliard School in New York City since 1987. He also has been Director of Music at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York City, since 1970.

Activities on the memorable day of music, held in honor of the 125th Anniversary of the dedication of the Masonic Temple, began with tours scheduled for 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. So many persons attended that Daniel J. Hinds, Superintendent of the Masonic Temple arranged and conducted a third tour group.

John H. Platt, Jr., the Executive Director of The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania, welcomed the large audience and introduced Dr. Weaver. Grand Chaplain, the Rev. Harold J. Schieck, offered a Prayer of Dedication.

Bro. Platt announced that this was the first in a series of recitals planned to be held at the Temple in 1999 under the sponsorship of the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania.

March 21 - Gordon Turk, Organist/Choir Director at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Wayne, PA, Organist for Ocean Grove Auditorium, Ocean Grove, NJ, and professor of music at West Chester University.

August 1 - Marc Cheban, Organist/Music Director for St. Andrew's School, Middletown, DE. He will play a program of Pops/Theatre favorites. In addition to his duties at St. Andrew's, where he has served for 24 years, Cheban is a regular performer at Longwood Gardens as well as a popular recitalist and silent film accompanist throughout the Delaware Valley. He is a graduate of West Chester University and the Eastman School of Music.

November 7 - Monty Maxwell, Organist for the Chapel of the Naval Academy at Annapolis. He is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music. His program may include an organ duo if his partner is available for the date, otherwise, he will perform solo.

Tours of the Masonic Temple are planned each of the days at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. and the recital at 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served in the Grand Banquet Hall after each recital. The nearby Parkway Corp. parking lot at Juniper and Arch Sts. will be available at the usual public rates.

Proper attire is requested.

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