July 15, 2013
Five Shawnee musicians with ties to OBU will present an organ concert Sunday, July 21, at 4 p.m. at First Christian Church in Shawnee. The concert is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit Dr. Peter Purin, assistant professor of music theory, who was injured in a bicycle accident while in London to present a scholarly paper.
Musicians performing in the concert include Dr. Ron Lewis, Sandra Meyer, Alice Sanders, Dr. Keith Whitmore and Laura Whitmore.
Lewis, professor emeritus of music at OBU, has served as the university's organist for several years following his retirement. He is organist and handbell director at First Baptist Church in Shawnee.
Meyer, retired associate professor of music and adjunct accompanist at OBU, serves as organist and choir accompanist at First Christian Church and also serves on the vestry of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. A nationally certified member of the Music Teachers National Association, she recently completed a term as the state president of the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association.
Sanders previously taught in OBU's Preparatory Department. Now on the faculty at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, she is music director and organist as well as an ordained elder at United Presbyterian Church in Shawnee. Her husband, Dr. Glenn Sanders, serves as professor of history at OBU and chairs the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Dr. Keith Whitmore is assistant professor of music and staff accompanist at OBU. He also serves as pianist at University Baptist Church in Shawnee. He has played for the early service at First Christian Church for the past year and previously served as organist for the church.
Laura Whitmore is the organist at University Baptist Church and director of the church's handbell choir. The mother of two OBU students, she is a teacher at the Shawnee Early Childhood Center. She previously taught music for Shawnee Public Schools.
During the concert, the Whitmores will perform several piano/organ duets. Lewis, Meyer and Sanders each will perform several solo organ pieces by various composers. The concert will close with an organ duet performed by Lewis and Meyer, who have often performed music for two pianos and one piano, four hands. This concert marks their first performance of an organ duet.
Purin joined the OBU faculty in 2010. He earned his bachelor's degree from Elmhurst College; his master's degree from The University of Minnesota; and his doctorate from The University of Kansas in Lawrence. Prior to his time on Bison Hill, he taught at the University of Kansas and The University of Minnesota. At OBU, Purin teaches courses including Fundamentals of Music; Introduction to Aural Skills; Theory II; and Ear Training and Sight Singing II.
On June 30, Purin was seriously injured in a bicycle accident while in London to present a paper. He has returned to the United States and has undergone surgery. Gifts will help offset medical and travel expenses for the family.
Anyone not able to attend the concert but wishing to make a donation to offset Purin's medical expenses may contribute online.