After 20 Years of Service, Organist Jill Hunt Will Give Final Organ Concert at First Pres, June 14

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - June 2, 2015 - PRLog -- Lake Forest, Ill. – June 2, 2015 – After being part of the music ministry staff at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest for two decades, Jill S. Hunt will play her final Organ Concert at 4 p.m. on June 14 at the church, 700 N Sheridan Road in Lake Forest. The concert is free and open to all.

Along with showcasing Hunt’s musical gift, the concert will also highlight First Presbyterian’s 41-year-old Casavant pipe organ that was renovated this past winter.

“It was a great thrill to help plan and oversee the renovation of our great Casavant pipe organ this past winter,” Hunt said. “I am very grateful to have the opportunity to present a recital to both celebrate the rededication of the organ and my retirement from our church.”

The recital will include Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St. Anne Fugue” and some of Hunt’s beloved 19th and 20th century French Music by César Franck, Jehan Alain, Louis Vierne, Maurice Duruflé and Jean Langlais.

Hunt joined First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest in 1995 when she was hired as organist, director of children’s choirs and director of handbell choirs. From 1996-2014, Hunt served as director of music and organist. She is currently organist/director of handbells from which she will be retiring later this summer.

“First Presbyterian is lucky to have had Jill as part of its family for so many years,” said Rev. Dr. Christine Chakoian, senior pastor at First Presbyterian. “Her talent and musical leadership will be missed.”

“After so many years of such wonderful service to our church and community, there is no better person than Jill to re-dedicate the instrument,” said Dr. Thomas J. Tropp, incoming director of music and arts ministry. “This has been ‘her’ instrument for so long that it’s fitting she should bring it back out of the barn.”

Jill grew up in Oklahoma and earned degrees in piano and organ performance from Oklahoma City University, studying piano with Robert Laughlin and organ with Wilma Jensen. She holds a master’s degree in organ performance from Northwestern University, where she studied with Karel Paukert and Dr. Richard Enright. She is a past dean of the North Shore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and currently serves as secretary. Jill has two sons, Bryan (Rebecca) of Vail, Colo., and Jason (Beth) of Evanston, Ill., and three grandchildren, Levi, Katherine and Stevie.

About First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest

Our mission at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest is to send inspired and well-equipped followers of Jesus into the world, loving and serving God in their daily lives. We invite you to join us in these resilient Christian practices: worship, learn, connect, serve and invite. Find out more about our worship services, study groups, mission outreach and fellowship opportunities by visiting our website at www.firstchurchlf.org or calling us at (847) 234-6250.