It was about 50 years ago when Marian Metson pushed down a piano key, making music for the first time in her life.
Nearly half a century later, Metson will be the guest organist at 3 p.m., Sunday on stage at the Harlen Adams Theatre.
When Metson was only 12 years old, she was asked to put together old pieces of music by binding them up with tape back to their original form. She did this in exchange for no pay, but what she got was a passion and a profession, all through organ lessons.
A few weeks after the lessons began, Metson did her first service.
"I loved playing. It gave me power and a feeling of control. After the first service, I was hooked," Metson said.
Today, Metson is not only a professional organist, but also plays weekly at her church. She has been the dean of the American Guild Organists for the Chico/Oroville chapter, and soon will be volunteering for the Sacramento children's chorus.
Even though Metson has her career all in place, she continues to give back to the community by teaching others the skill she loves.
Emily Worthington, a student Metson has instructed for the past four years, says that Metson makes her want to be a professional.
"Marian has such a beautiful sound," Worthington said. "She spends so much time on the organ. She is constantly practicing to better her style, which already sounds great."
Metson will be playing American pieces from the 18th to 21st centuries on Chico State University's massive Centennial Pipe Organ. This will be the first organ concert series of the season.
Metson will also be featuring a piece that is very important and emotional for her. On her 25th wedding anniversary, Metson's husband Graham presented her with a piece of music he had commissioned by composer Emma Lou Diemer.
"I was speechless. He knows she was one of my favorite composers. It was one of the sweetest things he has ever done," Metson said.
Metson will be performing the piece, entitled "Celebration." It will be her first time doing so in front of an audience.
The Chico State organ Metson will be playing is the only other centennial pipe organ in America built by Munetaka Yokata.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be able to perform," Metson said. "I feel even more blessed by this opportunity. I consider him [Yokata] to be one of the greatest organ builders alive today."
Other pieces Metson will play include music composed by Arthur Foote, Pietro Yon, Aaron Copland and Norberto Guinaldo.
Many pieces Metson will be performing are included in one of the four albums she has recorded. The albums mostly consist of music of the Americas -- American compositions -- along with one Christmas album.
The albums will be available for purchase at the concert for a special reduced price that evening.
Kim Sherman can be reached at:
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