Mutual 7 concert organist to perform holiday recital at Long Beach church

Mutual 7 resident and concert organist Peter Bates, will perform his annual Christmas organ recital on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Chruch, 607 E. Third St. (at Atlantic Avenue), Long Beach.

The performance will feature sung Christmas carols accompanied by the church’s magnificent Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ. Also included will be music of Denis Bedard, David Conte, Marcel Dupre, G. F. Handel, Jean Langlais and others.

Bates has been the minister of music and resident organist at the church since 1997. He will be joined by staff soloist Maria Schafer, soprano, who will help lead the carol singing. The show is free, but offering plates will be available for donations of any amount to the Minister of Music’s Discretionary Fund.

The Covenant Sanctuary organ is one of the finest in the area. Built in Boston in 1966 for the new church building, its 3,350 pipes include many that were built for the former church structure by the Los Angeles builder, Murray Harris in 1910, still in service 114 years later.

Parking is free and located behind the church. Those who cannot attend can listen to the concert livestream online at www. CovenantLB.org. For more information, call the church at 562437-0958, ext.130.