This June 29th will mark the true end of a musical era in Historic Hertford, North Carolina. Miss Caroline Wright is retiring as choir director and church organist after FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE to the Hertford United Methodist Church! There will be a public reception in her honor thanking her for her service between 3-5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Coincidentally, the last day of her tenure at the HUMC is the first day the new pastor, Gayla Collins, begins her pulpit ministry there. Reverend Collins in the first woman pastor in HUMC’s long history, so June 29th is a historic day on two accounts.
Hertford United Methodist church is itself a historic institution in Perquimans County, beginning in 1822 and moving to its present site at the corner of Covent Gardens and Market Street in 1855! It is one of the buildings featured in Hertford’s Spring Tour of Homes and had recently finished major renovations to the sanctuary, fellowship hall, and educational wing, enhancing and highlighting its charm.
The wonderful pipe organ of the church is one the reasons Miss Caroline accepted the music position at HUMC 50 years ago. In her own words: “One of my reasons for coming to work was to play the “Mighty Austin”. ...This instrument has one of the greatest set of strings stops of any in the area. It has 22 stops including strings, flutes, reeds and diapasons. There are 13 ranks (a rank is a set of pipes making one sound). This is a two manual (keyboard) organ with an AGO size pedal board, many couples and pistons. It was built specifically for our sanctuary and is very adequate for our church. This is a historic, wonderful instrument well worth keeping.”
A farewell concert including both sacred and non-sacred music was presented to a standing room only crowd on May 4th in the sanctuary by Miss Caroline, the choir, and professional musical guests including Jan and Mark Vinci from New York and Laura Paparatto from New Jersey. Local singers and instrumentalists were also featured. Miss Caroline played solos on the organ, the flute, and finally surprised all by playing her trumpet to Benny Goodman’s famous 1939 song, “In The Mood”. She had won first a place prize for playing this piece when she was in the 8th grade! She never ceases to amaze those who have worked with her and been blessed by her talents. Professionally recorded CD’s of this event are available from the church.
Miss Caroline earned her music degrees in Greensboro and then Northwestern University in IL. She toured Europe and once even played Charles Wesley’s organ in London, England. She came to Hertford to forge a music program at HUMC and also taught music in the Perquimans County Public Schools for 31 years. She belongs to the American Guild of Organists and has played on the College of the Albemarle’s Community Band for 20 years, the Elizabeth City State University Symphonic Band for 4 years, and played on the Albemarle Symphonic Band. She has attended music training in NY and continues to take lessons in flute, piano, and organ.
She says, “In 1984 the church honored me with a special gift and reception for 25 years of service. It was the nearest a wedding reception I have ever received."
HUMC members and all the Albemarle area thank Miss Caroline for her quality musical influence and she will be sorely missed! 
The people who live and work in the Albemarle Area are part of what makes it so great! Let us show you properties in the delightful communities of Hertford, Elizabeth City, Camden and Currituck today! Call Phyllis at 252 339 5151 and Erin at 252 435 5043.
