Organist Joel Pierce played a collection of traditional hymns and selections in remembrance of 9/11 Saturday afternoon at Wiscasset’s First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. The recital followed by a gathering in the Fellowship Hall was part of the weekend observance of the 250th anniversary of the church atop the town common.

After being introduced by interim Pastor Dr. David C. Myers, Pierce seated himself behind the 1909 Estey organ and went to work. He began his recital with “Trumpet Tune for a Festival” composed by David German albeit minus the trumpet solo. This was followed by an uplifting composition titled, “A Celtic Homage to Arvo Pärt.”

Twenty minutes into his performance, Pierce moved from the historic pipe organ to the church’s contemporary Yamaha Clavinova, an electric keyboard that recreates the sound of a grand piano. He then played a rendition of “Through the Looking Glass,” Jeanne Cotter’s poignant tribute to the victims of 9/11. Later in his performance Pierce returned to the Clavinova and played a second Cotter composition, this one titled, “Amber.” A highlight of the recital came about midway into the program: Pierce’s rendition of “America, the Beautiful.”

Pierce lives in Topsham and both performs and teaches music. Originally from Vail, Arizona,about 24 miles southeast of Tucson, he spent a good deal of his childhood in New England before moving to Maine. He began filling in as First Congregation Church’s organist in November 2021 and became its regular organist and choir director a few months later. The performance continued for an hour, after which guests left the sanctuary where the recital was held and gathered in the Fellowship Hall for light snacks and refreshments.

“Wonderful” is how Roger Whitney, a church member and former music teacher in the Wiscasset school system, described Pierce’s performance. “He’s really very talented and a joy to listen too,” he said. Whitney said the church was fortunate to have both the organ and Clavinova. He said not too many years ago the organ had been disassembled and taken to Vermont where it was completely refurbished. The Clavinova, he added, had been a gift to the parish. Pierce demonstrated his talent in playing both instruments.