Sunday, March 24, 2:00 pm

Our Celebration of Music will be presented by the Performing Arts Series of Gold Canyon United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 24 at 2:00 pm in the church’s Sanctuary. Featured will be all of the groups that Doug Benton, Director of Music Ministries, works with: Chancel Choir, Agape Brass, Canyon Carillon (handbells), GCUMC Orchestra, Organ, Piano, Timpani and soloists Cindy Hoff, Don Engbrecht and Marty Robison. Doug developed a very successful Performing Arts Series when the church’s new 1200-seat Sanctuary opened in 2005 (the Consecration Service on February 13, 2003, pictured), and representing this series will be the incredible Rice Brothers – Johnny and Chris, who packed the house with their concert on February 10!

Music will include a wide variety performed by the various groups, and will feature some Bach (including the Toccata in D-Minor), no Beethoven, but maybe some Benton. This will be Doug Benton’s last concert as he is resigning his 16-year post as Director of Music Ministries at the end of July this year. This will also mark the end of his 55-years as a professional Organist.  He has concertized throughout the USA and did a tour of Finland in 1990 performing in the “Rock Church” of Helsinki in Kerimäki and elsewhere. The concert will also include a little about the beginning of Doug’s life in music and how he was inspired to become a professional Organist.

Doug says, “I have been incredibly blessed throughout my career as an organist, choral director, handbell director and composer/arranger these past 55 years, but especially the past 16 years here at Gold Canyon UMC. I thank God everyday for the many extraordinary musical experiences I have had! I set out to conquer the organ as a sophomore in high school (1963), and the more I learned, the more I knew I had yet to learn. Like any other major endeavor, it takes a lifetime of energy, passion and dedication. But like any other lifetime endeavor or dream, the rewards are well worth the effort!”

This event is open to the public at no charge as an offering will be received, all of which will go into the church’s Pipes for the Organ Fund. The church is raising money to add several ranks of actual wind-blown pipes to the 3-manual Rodgers Trillium 967 Organ. So please bring a big check, and a can of food for the church’s Food Bank! If you can’t bring either one, please come anyway, and help us to celebrate music, and celebrate Doug’s tenure as Director of Music Ministries at Gold Canyon United Methodist Church. The church is located at 6640 South Kings Ranch Road, one block north of Hwy 60 (Walgreens on the corner), about 4 miles east of Apache Junction, 2 miles west of the Renaissance Festival. Please bring your family, friends and neighbors to help us say “Goodbye” to Doug. For more information, please call the church at 480-982-3776.