Dr. John Orfe, composer, and assistant professor, Bradley University Setting Text to Music: “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” — world premiere with Lee Wenger, radio personality. This event is offered as a collaboration with the Peoria Symphony Guild. Westminster will host an evening of fine music by Dr. John Orfe. Do come join us. Refreshments in the Parish House to follow.

How do words inspire musical notes, and how exactly does a creative process joining two different art forms unfold? Come hear composer John Orfe explain this process in the premiere of his latest composition, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, commissioned by Theo Jean Kenyon. Lee Wenger will narrate the presentation of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s iconic poem. Dr. Orfe is Assistant Professor of Music at Bradley University and organist at First United Presbyterian Church. He is critically acclaimed as a composer, winning awards for works performed in Europe, Asia, Australia, and Central and South America as well as throughout the United States by ensembles including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Wenger is Radio Information Service Director at WCBU radio. The program will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 10:00 a.m. The social hour follows the program at 11:00 a.m. This presentation is produced in collaboration with the Peoria Symphony Guild

“Throughout the week, there are many worldly things pulling me away from my commitment to God.  I come to church on Sunday at Westminster to reconnect and renew my relationship with Him.  Part of my worship is to ask him for forgiveness for my lack of faithfulness.  I leave, reminded that he loves me, forgives me, and walks beside me every day.  What a profound blessing that is!”