Renowned organist and television host Diane Bish will perform a free recital at the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 12, in the church’s sanctuary at 1328 16th St. NW.
Bish will perform compositions by Widor and Bach and from her own extensive catalog on First Baptist’s custom-built organ, which comprises more than 6,000 pipes and trumpets in four chambers. The organ console features five manuals and 229 stops, allowing for a wide variety of sound combinations. The organ was built by Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Conn.
In 2016, Bish received the inaugural Distinguished Career Award from the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists for exemplary service to the organ, choral music and related fields.
In 1989, Bish was awarded the National Citation by the National Federation of Music Clubs of America “for distinguished service to the musical, artistic, and cultural life of the nation.” Other recipients of the award include Leonard Bernstein, Eugene Ormandy, Van Cliburn, Robert Shaw, Irving Berlin and Fred Waring.
Since 1982, Bish has hosted The Joy of Music, a television series that combines organ and ensemble performances with an informative, inspirational narrative and extensive world travel.
The concert at First Baptist is part of the church’s long tradition of sharing the gift of music with neighbors and friends in the national capitol area.
Free valet parking will be available, and directions to the church by car or Metro are available on the website, www.firstbaptistdc.org. A free reception will follow the performance.