Recital, reception planned for Dr. C’s 80th

    A popular former music teacher at Chase County Schools has reached one of those birthday milestones, and some of his church friends here, who are also former students, are planning a local celebration.
    Dr. J. Gordon Christensen celebrated his 80th birthday Sept. 19, and he’ll be the guest of honor at a reception this Sunday at 3 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial.
    The public is invited to the Sunday birthday party, which will include a recital with many of his former piano and music students performing.
    One of the music pieces at the recital will be a newly commissioned organ partita written in honor of Dr. C by a friend in Council Bluffs, Iowa where he now lives—it was first performed last Sunday at  his church. Joel Grosbach of Imperial will play the piece at Sunday’s recital here.
    Also featured at the reception will be the trio of Stephanie Varilek, Shari Kinder and Amber Grosbach, playing Hayden’s London Trios.
    Other former piano students of Dr. C’s will also perform.
    Following the music, birthday cake will be served, said Phyllis Mock, one of the organizers.
    Dr. C taught K-6 vocal music at Chase County Schools for 41 years from 1968-2009, after which he moved to Council Bluffs.