The Hall and Powers duo to give free concert at First Presbyterian

By Geri Corey
The Goshen community and the surrounding area has the opportunity of attending an extraordinary concert that combines the music of organist Jonathan Hall and saxophonist Bill Powers.
On Sunday, July 14, the Powers and Hall Duo will perform in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen, at 33 Park Place. The theme of the free concert, which will begin at 3 p.m., is to honor Mother Nature.
“All of the pieces have nature as the theme and the composers evoke some part of nature,” said Powers. Among the selections are Carson Cooman’s “Owl Night,” Antonin Dvorak’s “Song of the Moon,” Franz Schubert’s “Die Forelle" ("The Trout"), Camille Saint-Saens “The Swan,” and Hans-Andre Stamm’s “Under the Starry Sky.”
Two of the composers are still living: Stamm in Germany and Cooman, an American from Rochester, N.Y.
“Our goals for the concert are simple,” said Hall, who listed them: sharing the unique combination of organ and sax, having a theme that anchors the concert with each piece running through and touching on that theme, and raising awareness of the organ to the wider community.
From Overlook to Goshen
The very talented Powers, has been a saxophonist for 35 years, playing soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones. He grew up in a small farming town in Kansas, called Overlook, whose catchy motto is — of course — “Don’t Overlook Overlook!”
He began studying and playing the saxophone while in middle school and continued throughout his high school years. Although it was challenging — learning to read music and achieving the coordination needed to play an instrument — he practiced on his own.
“I was self-motivated," said Powers. "I practiced on my own, never needing my parents telling me to practice."
While attending music camp in Wisconsin, Powers met Eugene Rousseau, a professor at Indiana University.
“I fell in love with his style of playing, so I auditioned and received scholarships and grants for Indiana University," he said.
“Eugene Rousseau is the greatest classical saxophonist of our time,“ Hall interjected. “He’s now at the University of Minnesota.”
“I’m fortunate to have met him,” said Powers.
After college, they toured the United States and abroad as the Powers and Hall Duo, naming Queens, Oxford, the Caribbean, and Granada as a few of the places they visited.
“Music has allowed us to see parts of the world, experience different cultures, and meet people who we wouldn’t have otherwise met,” said Powers.
Hall, the Minister of Music at the Presbyterian Church, grew up in New York City and began formal piano lessons in his senior year of high school.
“I then gravitated to the organ very quickly because I always loved it,” said Hall. “Bill’s music produces a beautiful tone. His intonation is perfect, especially on the soprano sax, which is remarkable, especially on the soprano. It’s a great joy to work with him.”
It’s clear the musicians have great admiration for each other’s talent.
“Jon is an accomplished musician," said Powers. "It’s almost telepathy that we’re thinking of playing as a singular instrument, rather than thinking of as being separate."
At the completion of the concert, refreshments will be served on the lawn — weather permitting.
Fourth of July concert
Powers and Hall love to play and share their music with the community. A Fourth of July celebration concert will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church. It’s a free concert and open to everyone.
To offset the cost of much-needed restoration of the 1931 church organ, the fundraising committee is currently sponsoring an unusual fun raffle — one winner chosen per day for the entire month of August. Join the fun. Get tickets at the Presbyterian Women’s table at this weekend's Great American Weekend.