John Painter’s path to the organ bench at Christ Church Reading is anything but ordinary. A Schuylkill Valley High School graduate who went on to earn degrees from Bard College and the Manhattan School of Music, Painter has served congregations across Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, performed recitals in the United States and France, and even spent six years teaching in Morocco.

Now settled back in Reading, Painter brings that extraordinary breadth of experience to the Fall Festival of the Arts with an organ recital in the 150 yr old sanctuary of Christ Church. Expect an evening of masterful playing — performed on what Painter himself calls one of the finest instruments he has ever played.

A reception will follow. On display will be contents from the Church’s 1863 time capsule, opened in May of this year to celebrate their Bicentennial.