Free Organ Concert at Hitchcock Church at Noon

Marguerite Manley Lenten Organ Recital Series begins Thursday, February 26th with Cecily DeMarco

Please join us in the Sanctuary on Thursday, February 26 at noon, as current organ scholar Cecily DeMarco kicks off the series with a 30-minute recital program with works by Bish, Dupre, Ravel, Reger and Whitlock. Lunch will follow in the Lower Children's House. These programs and lunch are FREE with donations gratefully accepted.

Hailed as a "Rising Star" by the American Guild of Organists, Cecily DeMarco is a student of Grammy Award-winning artist Paul Jacobs at The Juilliard School. She graduated with her Bachelor of Music Degree in organ performance in 2023, Master of Music Degree in 2025, and is continuing her studies there in the Artist Diploma Program under the Steve Reich Fellowship, graduating in 2027. Cecily has been awarded first prize in the New York City chapter of the Regional Competition for Young Organists (RCYO), as well as the Northeast Regional AGO Competition where she earned the title of “Rising Star.” Upon winning this competition, Cecily performed on a winner’s concert at the 2022 American Guild of Organists National Convention in Seattle, Washington. Known for her sensitive, yet bold musicianship and her creative use of color, Cecily has performed at prominent venues throughout the United States including St. Patrick’s Cathedral (NYC), Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (NYC), Columbia University (NYC), St. Mary the Virgin (NYC), Riverside Church (NYC), Trinity Wall St. - St. Paul’s Chapel (NYC), The Cathedral of St. John the Divine (NYC), Bethesda by the Sea (Palm Beach), Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (Fort Lauderdale), Mechanics Hall (Worcester, MA), and the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph (Brooklyn, NYC).. In addition to her organ studies, Cecily studies composition with David Serkin Ludwig, and is currently Organ Scholar at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, NY. When not playing the organ, Cecily enjoys painting, baking, and traveling.

Program:

Dance of the Trumpets—Diane Bish

Pavane for a Dead Princess—Maurice Ravel

Transcribed for organ by Cecily DeMarco

From 12 Pieces for Organ, Op. 65—Max Reger

10. Scherzo

From Five Short Pieces for Organ—Percy Whitlock

II. Folk Tune

Prelude and Fugue in G minor, Op. 7, No 3—Marcel Dupre