Sept. 29 organ, horn concert will benefit Ohio’s Hospice
Organist John Finney, right, and Annie Gerig, on English horn, both members of the Smithville High School Class of 1974, will present a concert on Sept. 29 in Wooster to benefit Ohio’s Hospice.
The pipes at Wooster United Methodist Church, 243 N. Market St., Wooster, will play on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. with a variety of organ solos and organ/English horn duets from many eras.
Organist John Finney and Annie Gerig, on English horn, both graduated from Smithville High School in 1974, celebrated their 50th class reunion earlier this year, and now are presenting a concert at the church of pieces in baroque, romantic and contemporary styles to benefit Ohio’s Hospice.
Finney, a recently retired professional organist and conductor, and Gerig, an amateur musician, retired long-term care nurse and hospice volunteer, will reunite for their fourth hospice benefit. Selections will include works by Bach, Telemann, Mendelssohn, Morricone, Newman and others, showcased in the admission-free concert with reception immediately following. A freewill offering will be accepted and given entirely to benefit local Ohio’s Hospice patient care.
Finney resided in Boston for 45 years, where he directed and conducted the Boston College Chorale and Symphony Orchestra and was music director/organist at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church. He recently retired and now lives in Ft. Myers, Florida. Gerig lived on both coasts before returning to Wayne County, but the two classmates have maintained their friendship throughout the years. When Gerig took up English horn nine years ago, Finney presented her with several organ/English horn duos, and the first benefit concert was born in 2017, with two more following in 2019 and 2021.
Ohio’s Hospice provides patient-centered hospice and palliative care, caregiver support, and bereavement services to all experiencing the impact of serious illness and loss, regardless of the ability to pay. Hospice professionals and volunteers provide medical and nursing care, pain relief, and emotional and spiritual support services. Efforts focus on promoting comfort and dignity and creating an environment that allows the patient to live as fully as possible at life’s end.
Finney and Gerig both give testament to the hospice care their family members and close friends received at end-of-life.
“The support is not only there for the patient, but also for the caregiver and family members. Many caregivers are under a great deal of stress due to assuming new and demanding roles and often feel isolated as well. Hospice staff and volunteers listen to patients and caregivers to understand what help is needed,” said Gerig, a retired long-term care nurse who is now a hospice volunteer, “because no two situations are the same.”
“Having observed and experienced the great care and support provided by hospice, it is an honor to collaborate once again with Annie in a benefit concert,” Finney said.