This Day in History: 1905-07-15
Two professional organists appeared at the special Organ Fund Concert for the Ramapo Reformed Church. Mrs. R. L. Blackwell, formerly an organ instructor at Vassar College, and Mr. W. A. Christmas of Tallman’s played the newly installed Odel organ. The instrument is a 2 manual, 5 octave pipe organ with 2 1/2 octaves of pedals. Especially noteworthy was Mr. Christmas’ rendition of Flagler’s “Variations on an American Air” and Mrs. Blackwell’s playing of the “Pastorale” by Bossi and “Caprice” by Delthiers. Also heard were vocal solos by Misses Edith Van Dyne of Suffern, Bessie Caulkins of Hollis, Long Island, and the tenor Mr. P. Gordon Kemp. Admission for the affair was 50 cents. The artists were entertained by Mr. A. Winter in his handsome new home. Mr. Winter was, with Mr. George Crocker, the major contributor to the congregational fund which purchased the new instrument. (Bristow)