Diana Beterbide, musical director at Riverside Community Church, stands by the Rodger Schock Commuity Organ at the beginning of the church's fundraising efforts to restore it in July 2019.
Diana Beterbide, musical director at Riverside Community Church, stands by the Rodger Schock Commuity Organ at the beginning of the church's fundraising efforts to restore it in July 2019.
HOOD RIVER — Four years after Riverside Community Church launched a community-wide fundraising effort to save the only pipe organ in Hood River County, the 54-year-old organ is finally ready for its public debut.
The Rodger Schock Community Organ will be introduced at a free concert open to all, featuring several acclaimed musicians, on Saturday, May 13 at 7 p.m. Prior to the concert, the community is also invited to purchase a ticket to a dinner in Riverside’s Riverview Room, prepared by Chef Kathy Watson and the Riverside kitchen team.
Rodger Schock
“The Wicks organ originally cost about $23,000 in 1969, and it needed $23,000 in repairs,” said Pastor Vicky Stifter. “With the generous support of Riverside members and the community, we raised $33,000. Not only is the organ repaired, but we have a fund for future needs to ensure that it has a long life.”
The re-dedication of the organ, named in memory of the late Rodger Schock, a church member and longtime public servant, has been delayed several times. The pandemic postponed it for two years, and then water damage to organ pipes caused another delay.
To celebrate, the organ will be played by Paul Klemme, the director of music ministries at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salem, where he conducts four choirs and serves as the parish organist. He is a member of the adjunct teaching faculty at Willamette University and conducts the Willamette Master Chorus of Salem. Klemme was associate professor of music at Washington State University, Pullman, before moving to Salem. He is active as an organ recitalist in the United States and Europe. Klemme has played and conducted at the Oregon Bach Festival.
Bryce Schmidt will perform at Riverside Community Church May 13.
Contributed photo
Paul Klemme will perform at Riverside Community Church May 13.
Contributed photo
Klemme will be joined by trumpeter Bryce Schmidt. Schmidt is a guest performer at a number of orchestras, and is an active recording artist, performing music for film and television. As a teen in 2006, Schmidt won the National Trumpet Competition’s High School Soloist division. He has two masters degrees from the University of Michigan, and earned the James Stamp Trumpet Scholarship at USC.
Riverside’s Diana Beterbide will also perform.
Tickets to dinner prior to the concert are available at bit.ly/41AN0nR. Childcare and a $5 child’s meal is also available by signing up at the church office, 541-386-1412. Proceeds from the dinner support the mission, ministry and community outreach of Riverside.
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