Mt. Pleasant Organist will perform in Cedar Rapids concert

MT. PLEASANT — Swedesburg Lutheran Church Organist Christopher Arp from Mt. Pleasant will perform in Cedar Rapids at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids for their Pipes, Pedals and Pie series on July 11 at 7 p.m. On the second Tuesday of the summer months, the concerts feature talented Eastern Iowa organists playing traditional works mixed with more whimsical music, followed by a free pie and ice cream social.

Arp’s program at the July 11 concert will include “The Day the Lord Gave” chronicles, with music and hymns, a single day from morning through the evening.

Arp grew up on a farm south of Dysart, Iowa and holds degrees from both Luther College and the University of Iowa. He is a lifetime member of the American Guild of Organists. He has had the privilege of playing organs across the United States, Spain and Germany.

Currently, Arp serves as Organist and Choir Director at Swedesburg Lutheran in Mount Pleasant where he has overseen the renovation of their 1928 pipe organ, rededicated in June.

The Pipes. Pedals and Pie organ concert series concludes on Tuesday, Aug. eight at 7 p.m. with Dr. Dan Laaveg, organist at Wesley United Methodist Church in Muscatine. Both the July and August concerts are free and open to the community.

Brett Wolgast, First Lutheran’s cantor and organist, said, “Our first Pipes, Pedals and Pie concert was a huge success, bringing in hundreds of people. It’s becoming a wonderful way to feature talented organists and our new Parsons Opus 50 pipe organ while having a bit of summer fun.”

First Lutheran Church is located at 1000 Third Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids. For details on Pipes, Pedals and Pie, visit firstlutherancr.org.