Concerts at 4pm • open to the public • Free-will offering
Laura Blevins Douglass and Melvin Goodwyn Organ Duo
Laura Blevins Douglass began her musical career as the Assistant Choral Director at Woodbridge Senior High School from 1973-1979. She holds a BA degree from Mary Washington College (’73) where she studied organ with Jean Slater Edson and Peggy Kelley Reinburg and the MM degree from Northwestern University (’77) as the organ student of Dr. Richard Enright.
Further theological studies at Wesley and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminaries led to ordination as a United Methodist Deacon in 2000. She served as Minister of Music at Fairlington UMC, Alexandria, from 1979-1991 and Asbury UMC, Harrisonburg, from 1991-2016. Now retired she continues to substitute as a church musician and is affiliated with the Charlottesville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. In addition she serves as Mission Coordinator for Social Action for the United Women of Faith on the Shenandoah River District UMC. She and Louise Stewart Leach were organ duet partners from 2006 – 2016 and performed numerous All Hallows Eve and July 4 duet recitals in Harrisonburg. Today marks Laura’s and Melvin’s third duet concert collaboration.
Further theological studies at Wesley and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminaries led to ordination as a United Methodist Deacon in 2000. She served as Minister of Music at Fairlington UMC, Alexandria, from 1979-1991 and Asbury UMC, Harrisonburg, from 1991-2016. Now retired she continues to substitute as a church musician and is affiliated with the Charlottesville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. In addition she serves as Mission Coordinator for Social Action for the United Women of Faith on the Shenandoah River District UMC. She and Louise Stewart Leach were organ duet partners from 2006 – 2016 and performed numerous All Hallows Eve and July 4 duet recitals in Harrisonburg. Today marks Laura’s and Melvin’s third duet concert collaboration.
Melvin Goodwyn served as high school choral director and arts administrator for 31 years in the Prince William County (Virginia) school division before retiring in 2009. He has accompanied numerous instrumental and vocal performances including the Virginia Senior High Honors Choir and All-State Choir. Mr. Goodwyn served as Director of Music and Organist at Bush Hill Presbyterian Church (Alexandria) for 32 years and currently holds the position of Organist at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church (Woodbridge). He also serves as the collaborative pianist for the Vienna Choral Society. Mr. Goodwyn earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College (Princeton) where he studied piano with Harold Zabrack and Walter Brennan and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Catholic University. Mr. Goodwyn was also an organ student of Carl Freeman at River Road Baptist (Richmond). It is an honor to perform with my friend, Laura Blevins Douglass.