Organist Karl E. Moyer will present a birthday concert on Thursday, June 16, in gratitude to God for 85 years of life. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 501 E. Orange St., Lancaster.

Moyer, Professor of Music Emeritus at Millerville University, will play masterpieces by Bach and the French Romantic composers Widor, Cesar Franck, and Maurice Durufle, along with shorter works by Beethoven, Brahms, and others.

Moyer spent most of his professional life on the music faculty of Millersville University, teaching music history, organ, and sometimes hymnody. He concurrently served several Lutheran churches in Lancaster and was a founding member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

In retirement, he plays the organ at St. John's Episcopal Church in Marietta, where he played a program of organ music in June 1950, 72 years ago.

He holds degrees from Lebanon Valley College, the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and Temple University. He earned a doctorate from Eastman School of Music in organ performance and church music. He is also a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists (F.A.G.O.), the highest certificate possible from that national group.

Moyer has composed descants for two congregational hymns to be sung at his birthday concert. Sopranos and tenors in the audience will be invited to sight-read them from the printed program.

Admission is free. Parking is available in the church lot on the opposite side of East Orange Street, with the lot entrance on North Ann Street between East King and East Orange streets. Early arrival is recommended.