Nationally acclaimed performer and harpsichord dedication kick off Artist Series

Janel Shoun | 

The Lipscomb University Artist Series kicks off this fall with a performance by John Paul, organist/choirmaster at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, Miss., since 1965 and nationally acclaimed harpsichordist, at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept.16 , in Lipscomb’s Ward Hall. Cost is $15 for adults and $7 for students.

Paul will perform works by Farnaby, Dowland, Couperin, Rameau and Bach on Lipscomb’s new harpsichord. The performance will be a dedication of the instrument to Lipscomb retired music professor Gerald Moore, who promoted the study and performance of early music throughout his Lipscomb tenure.

Touring as a solo harpsichordist since 1980, Paul has completed over 500 concerts and residencies in the Southeastern U.S., and then collaborated with duo partner Shawn Leopard since 1997. Together they play the entire known repertoire for two harpsichords along with creative transcriptions of their own.

Focusing on the works of Bach, Rameau, Couperin and Scarlatti, Paul’s programming also includes an assortment of popular classics by composers ranging from Mozart to Joplin. With his virtuoso technique and witty comments, Paul engages his audience with short stories about the harpsichord, its music and composers.

Paul studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London for his undergraduate degree. He completed doctoral studies at the University of Colorado in 1971. He is the author of Modern Harpsichord Makers and has released CDs of harpsichord works by J.S. Bach, Lambert and Howell and Jacques DuPhly.

In April 2007, Lipscomb’s Moore held an alumni reunion concert of the Early Music Consort, which he directed for many years, just prior to his retirement. After the performance, the 200 attending alumni announced they had raised $7,000 to establish a fund to purchase a harpsichord for the university in Moore’s honor. The music department continued the fund-raising and will dedicate the instrument at the Sept. 16 concert.

The Lipscomb University Music Department also recently opened a new 10,000-square-foot facility on campus and added a new Steinway concert grand piano to the department last year.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Allen Arena Box Office by calling 615.966.7075. Lipscomb students can obtain one free ticket at the Allen box office and faculty/staff can obtain two free tickets at the box office. No reserved seats.

For more information on the performance, contact Lipscomb’s music department at 615.966.5929.