Aug. 1, 2002 – On Sunday, the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Anna's Retreat gained a whole churchful of new voices when Pastor Trent Berg dedicated its new Rodgers Trillium 950 organ. The instrument has three manuals of 54 stops and 16 couplets which translate to a whole lot of superior sound when it comes to making a joyful noise.
At the organ was Rebecca Faulkner, who has returned home from her studies at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, and assists with the Shiloh music program. Her father, Rudolph Faulkner, is the choirmaster, and her mother, Vivian Faulkner, sings in the choir.
On New Year's Day of 2000, Faulkner gave a recital at the church playing on the old organ, the occasion being a fund-raiser to replace the 24-year-old instrument. In the audience was local musician and surgeon Dr. Alfred O. Heath. Easily persuaded that Faulkner's talents called for a better instrument, Heath offered to match whatever other money was collected for a new organ.
On Sunday, the circle was completed, with Faulkner doing the honors in a grand rendition of that old-time favorite hymn "How Great Thou Art."
The organ was introduced to the congregation in a gentle manner. The program began with a youth solo and the junior choir accompanied by taped music; they were followed by the duo of Luther Dorbeck and Leon Woodcock playing classic guitar and the saw; which proved the versatility of music.
After Faulkner explained the capabilities of the new organ, she was joined by Albert Lynch in a piano/organ duet.
Lynch is a St. Thomian who began playing the organ at the age of 12. With encouragement from the V.I. Council of the Arts, he attended the famed Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan, then went on to pursue music studies at the University of the Virgin Islands and the Manhattan School of Music. He now chairs the music department at Antilles School, directs the Pride boys choir and is co-founder of The New School of Music.
Once the wraps were off the new organ, the senior choir waded in with a special anthem and the congregation stood for the grand finale with all the stops out. The congregation left the church listening to the organ still singing, knowing Shiloh Church has been lifted to a new plane.
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