The Keith McClelland Concert Fund
Bringing Outstanding Musicians to The Church on the Cape

When our Organist and Choir Director Keith McClelland passed away in May of 2002 our church lost more than just a beloved musician.  This talented, artistic and gentle man provided us with thoughtful guidance in so many other areas of church life.

Keith McClelland's background

Keith was born in Mandan, North Dakota. It was during his high school years that he became the organist at the First Presbyterian Church in town.

He received a B.A. in Modern Languages in 1944 from Jamestown College in North Dakota. Between the years of 1944 and 1968, Keith was Head of the Music Department at the Theater-Television Institute in New York City. He also played the piano in Broadway shows, in night clubs, on television and on tours.

Keith moved to Maine in 1972, teaching music in Sanford Jr. High School (1972-1974). In 1974 he became Head of Elementary Music in the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport School System retiring in 1997. He is a former Citizen of the Year in the towns of Kennebunk-Kennebunkport. He passed away in May of 2002. He was know as the "Music Man" of the Kennebunks.

Establishment of the Concert Fund

Following Keith's death in 2002, a concert fund was established to honor his memory. This fund now brings to our community organists and other musicians to celebrate the ministry that Keith himself embodied.

The list of our performances grows each year as this committee seeks out talented musicians to perform on our Rodgers digital/pipe organ. In addition, there are soloists, instrument and voice, to embellish these events.

• Berj Zamkochian - Dedicatory Concert, 2000

• David Ogletree - Dedication of the Pipes, 2001

• Bill McCullough - Independence Concert, 2002

• Beryl Samia - Christmas Prelude, 2002

• David Maxwell - Spring, 2003

• James Strand - Independence Weekend, 2003

• Ray Cornils - Christmas Prelude, 2003

• Harold Stover - Spring, 2004

• Beryl Samia - Independence Concert, 2004

• David Maxwell - Christmas Prelude, 2004

• Mark Thallander - Independence Concert, 2005

• David Maxwell - Christmas Prelude, 2005

• Douglas Marshall - Spring, 2006

• Randall Mullin - Independence Concert, 2006

• Albert Melton - Christmas Prelude, 2007

First up was Harold Stover on April 29th, 2007, at 3p.m. Harold is Organist and Director of Music at the Woodfords 
Congregational Church in Portland and is a first-class musician who has performed here before. Here's a sample 
of his last concert: 

Our Independence Weekend Concert occurred on July 1st at 7 p.m. Douglas Major, former organist at the 
National Cathedral in Washington, performed a program of classical and popular marches. Mr. Major is 
currently organist at an Episcopal church in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Our thanks to Beryl for suggesting him 
and providing a tape of his marches. Here's a sample of his march program at the National Cathedral: 

On April 13th at 4 p.m., the Concert Fund and the Music Committee of our church will join with the Second 
Congregational Church in Kennebunkport to bring The New England Brass Band to the area. Because this 
British-style organization has 30 members, a larger venue is required thus the change in location to the 
South Congregational Church.

Do join us for our musical events.