The Troy Music Study Club will present an organ recital by Lyra Crapps at 7:30 Monday night in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Troy. The public is invited to attend the Club’s November musical presentation.

Crapps retired as the FUMC organist after 15 years but said that she still appreciates the opportunity to play. “It’s a blessing,” she said.

For the recital, Crapps will play one of her favorite hymns, “God of Grace and God of Glory,” John Hughes and arranged by Paul Manz.

“‘God of Grace’ became one of my favorite hymns in my adult life,” Crapps said. “The music is strong and worshipful and the text means a lot to me as well.”

Other recital selections will include “Voluntary” by William Celby; three selections from a collection by Healey Willan, “If Thou Will Suffer God to Guide” by J.S. Bach and “Now Thank We All Our God” by J.S. Bach, arranged by Virgil Fox.

Crapps, who grew up in Birmingham, began playing the piano as a child and learned to play the organ in college. After college, she began to play in various churches where she lived.

“It meant a lot to me to share in the worship services and in recitals,” Crapps said. “I’ve always liked classical organ as well as the hymns of the church.”

Crapps and her husband, Don, lived in several places before calling Troy home.

“We lived in Orange Park, Florida; Tigerville, South Carolina and Jonesboro, Georgia and in Troy twice,” Crapps said. “We lived Troy from 1958 to 1970 and here is where I began teaching piano lessons. Each place that we lived, I taught piano, organ and music theory and played in various churches.

“When we retired in 1994, we moved back to Troy and I taught private lessons that included Troy University as well.”

Crapps stopped short of saying, which she preferred, the piano or the organ.

“They are different,” she said. “To play the organ you must be able to play legato to make the music smooth. You don’t pick your hands up so you can achieve a sustaining tone. And, too, the pedals are notes. You are playing with your hands and feet.”

Jerry Spann, Troy Music Study Club, said Crapps is a fabulous musician and the TMSC is proud and honored to have her as its featured guest musician.

“We invite everyone to attend Lyra’s recital and to join us for a reception following the recital,” Spann said. “It will be a wonderful evening of music and fellowship.”