LAKEPORT, Calif. – Noted Lake County organist Melvin Taylor will perform in a free public concert at noon Thursday, Dec. 20, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1190 N. Forbes, Lakeport.

The half-hour concert, “Organ Chorales for Advent and Songs of Thanksgiving to God,” features compositions by J.S. Bach, J. Brahms, D. Buxtehude and Piet Post.

Taylor joined St. John’s this year as organist on the church’s Allen organ.

His music training began on the accordion as a child in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. He studied guitar, piano and organ in Idaho, and participated in liturgy and music resource seminars with Dr. Paul Eineke at St. John’s Cathedral in Spokane, Wash.

While earning an AA degree in music at North Idaho College, he operated a music studio, providing training on various instruments and music repair. He also played for weddings.

Taylor earned his BA degree in music from Whitworth University in Spokane.

He played organ for various churches in Idaho, Arizona and Lake County. He also performed for special events as backup pianist for local musician David Neft.

Hear more of Taylor’s organ music at St. John’s, Lakeport, on Christmas Eve at 10 p.m., Christmas Day at 10 a.m., and regular Sunday services at 10 a.m.

For further information, please call Parish Priest Fr. Leo M. Joseph, O.S.F., at 707-349-6563 or see St. John’s Web site at www.saintjohnslakeport.org .