DYNAMIC DUO

Amber Willard

GLENDALE -- One organist playing hymns is not an unusual sight in a

church, but at a Glendale church Sunday, there will be two organists

playing at one instrument.

Nancy Ackerman and Richard Lakey will give a benefit concert at St.

Matthew’s Lutheran Church on Sunday afternoon that will provide funding

for the Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit at Solheim Lutheran Home of Los

Angeles in Eagle Rock. The unit will be dedicated next month.

“It’s part of a concert series at the church and we decided to waive

our fees,” said Ackerman, who is a member of Salem Lutheran Church in

Glendale and has lived in the city for two years.

Ackerman and Lakey have been performing together as Divine Duos for 12

years and plan to play a variety of music at Sunday’s concert that will

raise funds with a freewill offering. Sponsorships are also available.

“We’ll play some traditional hymns as well as recently written stuff

like classical and Ragtime,” Ackerman said, adding that the duo will also

play some of the tunes at two organs.

“There has been a resurgence of two organist (concerts) in the last 10

years,” Ackerman said of the limited number of pieces written for two

organists.

Most duet parts were written in the 1700s, she said.

“We’re becoming a rare breed,” said Lakey, who has practiced with

Ackerman for several hours each day this week to prepare for the concert.

“It’s not that hard, you just have to make considerations. It takes a

lot of choreography because you’re playing slightly out of position,

sitting to the right or the left,” Ackerman said.

Selections to be played at the concert -- the first held outside of

Pennsylvania, where Ackerman and Lakey met -- will include two hymn

settings that were commissioned by the church for the dedication of its

organs. Until now, no one could play the parts, Ackerman said.

The hymn settings, which are hymns that have been newly arranged, are

“A Mighty Fortress is Our God” and “How Great Thou Art.”

The 90-minute concert will include an emcee who will explain the

history of the songs played and other tidbits.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Divine Duos organ concert, with two organists playing some

selections on one instrument.

WHEN: 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE: St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 1920 W. Glenoaks Blvd.

WHY: To raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Special Care Unit at Solheim

Lutheran Home of Los Angeles.

COST: Freewill offering. Sponsors who cannot attend can call the

church at 842-3138 to donate.