SUMMERLAND — It’s the first thing that greets a congregation: the mighty sound of an organ. Seldom does the organist get the spotlight, instead his purpose is to provide a backdrop for the service, touching people in a subtle way. But his weekend, all eyes — and ears — will be diverted to Steven Laplante, who’s holding an organ recital at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Summerland.
“I view it as an important way to reach people’s lives, to inspire them,” says LaPlante.
“I thought it would be interesting for the community to hear an unusual recital on an instrumental they wouldn’t normally hear.”
LaPlante is originally from Summerland, but is now the music director at a Catholic church in Brooklyn, where he performs at nearly 600 services every year.
Every weekend, he plays for roughly 3,500 people. This Saturday however, he will be showcasing his talent to a much more intimate crowd.
“Our organ hasn’t had that kind of expertise ever before. We’re really thrilled, as people who own the organ, to hear it played so beautifully,” says recital organizer Margorie Plitt.
When LaPlante was growing up, he never had any professional music training. He never even heard an organ until he was in university.
He was studying to become an architect at McGill, but had a change of heart after attending several symphonies and recitals.
“I’ve never heard of any of that stuff before so I was just intrigued and I was like ‘What is all of this? What have I been missing?'”
Laplante wants to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to hear an organ recital.
His own concert is at 2 pm. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door.
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