On November 3, several organists gathered in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Highland Park, Pennsylvania, to play a recital of music in honor of Charles Huddleston Heaton, who turned 90 on November 1. Heaton has led a life of music that started as a child, supporting his local church and funeral home in Centralia, Illinois. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree at DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, and his Doctor of Sacred Music degree from Union Theological Seminary, New York, New York, in 1957.
He became organist/choirmaster for Second Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, Missouri, where he served until 1972. He then served as organist/director of music for East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for 21 years. He also was a lecturer of music at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Since his retirement from East Liberty, he has served as an organist and choirmaster for churches in Pittsburgh, including Trinity Episcopal Church, Calvary Episcopal Church, and others. He is a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists, serving the AGO as both a national councilor and regional chairman.
Heaton has authored and edited books such as The Hymnbook for Christian Worship; A Guidebook to Worship Services of Sacred Music; How to Build a Church Choir; and authored articles in The American Organist; Clavier; and The Diapason.
Heaton donated to St. Andrew’s Church a fund to install a trumpet rank for the organ, which was featured in the recital. The performing organists are all friends of his and are serving in churches in Pittsburgh, including East Liberty and St. Andrew’s churches. A reception for the attendees was held after the recital.
Left to right: David Billings, Alan Lewis, Charles Huddleston Heaton, Edward Alan Moore, and Peter Luley
