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Farmville United Methodist Church will present an organ recital with guest organist Dr. Ryan Hebert on Sunday, March 20, at 4 p.m.

A native of Louisiana, Hebert is associate professor of music, music department chair, director of choral studies and university organist at the University of Tampa (UT) in Florida. Herbert previously taught at Longwood University where he received the Faculty Recognition Award in 2010.

As UT organist, Hebert plays UT’s 55-foot-tall, 3,184-pipe Dobson organ, named Opus 89, that was installed in the Sykes Chapel and Center for Faith and Values in 2010. The Sykes Chapel was designed to nurture the development of character and values of UT’s 6,500 students. 

“When visitors come into the chapel, the first thing they want to do is hear the organ,” Hebert commented.

Hebert also currently serves as organist and director of music at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Tampa.

Choirs under Hebert’s direction have performed all over the United States and abroad. Hebert is also an active composer. For the Jefferson Choral Society’s Composition Competition in Lynchburg, his choral setting of E.E. Cummings “i carry your heart with me” was selected for first prize. Hebert also has an organ piece, “Trumpet Tune in D” published by St. James’ Music Press.

Hebert’s recital at Farmville UMC will include Variations on Old Hundredth by Denis Bédard; Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor, Johann Sebastian Bach; Concerto in B-flat for organ and orchestra, G.F. Händel; Festive Trumpet Voluntary, Ryan Hebert;

Sonata No. IV in B-flat Major, Felix Mendelssohn; and Carillon Sortie, Henri Mulet.

The March 20 recital will showcase Farmville UMC’s 1,543-pipe organ installed by Austin Organs of Hartford, Connecticut in 1974.

“Every organ is designed individually to fit specifications and size and how much space it has to fill,” Farmville UMC Organist Dr. Gordon Ring explained.

Farmville UMC’s organ recently underwent renovation that was celebrated with a concert featuring five local organists in February 2020.

Dr. Ryan Hebert’s organ recital is free, and the community is invited to attend.