Hendersonville – St. James Episcopal Church in Hendersonville is set to welcome acclaimed organist David Higgs for a recital on May 15th, marking the inaugural concert of the Linda Lassiter Hill Organ Recital Series. This highly anticipated event is expected to attract music enthusiasts eager to experience the talents of one of America’s leading concert organists.
Celebrated Organist and Educator
David Higgs, who serves as the Minehan Family Professor of Organ and Chair of the Organ Department at the Eastman School of Music, has an extensive performance history across the United States and internationally. His impressive career includes inaugurating significant instruments at prestigious venues such as Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas and St. Albans Cathedral in England. He is also known for captivating audiences with annual holiday organ concerts at renowned locations like Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Higgs has participated in numerous organ festivals and competitions worldwide, showcasing his skills at national and regional conventions of the American Guild of Organists. In 2010, he performed the inaugural St. Cecilia Recital, a series featuring world-renowned concert organists during the biennial National Conventions of the American Guild of Organists. His international performances include a solo recital at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2018.
A Tribute to Musical Legacy
The Linda Lassiter Hill Organ Recital Series is endowed by Linda Hill, a retired organist and member of the St. James Choir. The series honors her father, Roy Lassiter, Jr., who inspired her musical journey, and her late husband, William J. Hill, who supported her career. Hill has expressed her excitement about the series, stating, “It is a joy to bring such talented musicians to our community.”
The organ at St. James Episcopal Church, a Harrison & Harrison instrument from Durham, England, was installed in 1999 and has recently been updated with new digital sounds and enhancements. The console will be specially arranged for Higgs’s recital, allowing attendees a clear view of his performance.
Brad Gee, Director of Music/Organist at St. James, highlighted the significance of this upcoming event for the church and community. He remarked, “Hosting David Higgs is an incredible opportunity for us to showcase world-class talent right here in Hendersonville.”
The concert will be free to attend, with no tickets required, and will conclude with an elegant candlelight reception in Stillwell Hall, allowing attendees to mingle and discuss the performance.
Higgs’s contributions to music extend beyond performance; he has also made a mark as an educator. Since joining the faculty at Eastman School of Music in 1992, his students have achieved success in prestigious competitions and hold significant positions in academic and religious institutions. He has recorded for various labels, including Delos International and Pro Organo.
As the inaugural concert of the Linda Lassiter Hill Organ Recital Series approaches, attendees can look forward to an evening of exceptional music that will celebrate both Higgs’s artistry and the legacy of those honored through the series.