Old Zionsville United Church of Christ, Kings Highway and Fountain Road, Old Zionsville, hosted an extra-special event Nov. 1, All Saints Day– a concert given by organist Richard Van Auken.

Van Auken, humble about his musical career, has been playing since he was 11 years old, when he started taking piano lessons. He expanded his musical knowledge to organ lessons at age 13, and that same year, he played so well he was appointed organist at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Keller Church, Pa.

Following high school graduation, Van Auken served with the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea. Returning home, he continued his love of music and music ministry as an organ major at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. He also studied privately with Eleanor Sokoloff, Susan Starr, Kenneth Amada and Natalie Hinderas.

His career includes work as an organist and choir director, teacher of workshops and seminars, artist-teacher in the music department of Moravian College, Bethlehem and a visiting instructor at Lafayette College, Easton.

He is a published author and served as a musical coach for a production by the New York City Ballet.

When he was in his 20s, Van Auken met and married pianist Evelyn, with whom he has shared his life and love of music the past 58 years, The couple has two sons.

Van Auken, who will celebrate his 83rd birthday in December, says he likes to stay busy.

In October, he performed in North Carolina. Recently he played in the Lehigh Valley and will present a program in Sydney, N.Y. later this month.

“I wish we could get more young people,” Van Auken said.

Lucille Fox, an Emmaus resident attending the concert, said she studied with Van Auken and was a student of his a long time ago.

Supply Pastor, Rev. Lori Esslinger welcomed everyone and announced the concert was dedicated in memory of Paulette Shankweiler who died Oct. 3. Her husband William Shankweiler said a few kind words about her before the concert started.