2014 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: SACRED MUSIC IN A SACRED SPACE

LEWISTON — The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Ash St. will host a summer concert series that is free and open to the public. Donations to restore the Casavant Organ will be accepted.

From 12:15-12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, organist Ray Cornils will perform. He is the municipal organist for the city of Portland, a post which he has held since 1990. Cornils also serves First Parish Church, UCC in Brunswick, as music director where he leads an extensive music program of five vocal and two handbell choirs. In addition, he is a member of the music faculties of Bowdoin College, the University of Southern Maine, and the Portland Conservatory of Music, where he teaches organ, harpsichord and related classes.

Born in Sterling, Illinois, Cornils received the B. Mus. degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and the M. Mus. degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. He has studied organ with Robert Reeves, Fenner Douglas, William Porter, Yuko Hayashi and Gillian Weir, and harpsichord with William Porter, Lenora McCroskey, Rhona Freeman and Lisa Goode Crawford.

Cornils has concertized throughout the United States and in Germany, Russia, New Zealand and France. Recent concerts have included the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City and the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. He has been a featured recitalist for conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society.