Miscellaneous, Dr. Ray Hastings of Los Angeles, 1933

Dr. Ray Hastings Celebrates Anniversary of Connection with Los Angeles Church

 

Native Son of Bainbridge is Famous Organist on Pacific Coast--

Composes for Piano, Organ, Orchestra and Voice

Bainbridge News & Republican, Mar. 2, 1933

 

Dr. Ray Hastings recently celebrated the 21st anniversary of his connection with the Temple Baptist Church in Los Angeles as organist.  Dr. Hastings is also official organist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and has frequently appeared as soloist with that group.  In addition to this work, he conducts a piano and organ school in Los Angeles.

 

The Temple Baptist Messenger says in part:  "During the period of his affiliation with Temple Church, Dr. Hastings has become famous as an organist throughout the United States.  He is will known as a composer for piano, organ, orchestra and voice, and counts among his friends many prominent musicians in all parts of the country.  "

 

"Dr. Hastings' musical training was begun in Chicago and continued at the College of Music, University of Southern California, of which he is a graduate.  He later traveled and studied in European music centers."

 

"His fame spread after he had played a series of recitals at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco and in 1917 Davis College conferred upon him the degree of doctor of music.  During the Sesqui-Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1926, he was one of the concert organists playing the gigantic Austin organ on the fair grounds."

 

"The Austin organ upon which Dr. Hastings plays his weekly concerts was considered at its installation one of the largest and finest instruments in the country.  It has four manuals and pedal bass.  One hundred stops and couplers control nearly 6,000 pipes.  The largest pipe is 32 feet long and weighs 1,300 pounds.  The smallest pipe is three-quarters of an inch long and weighs one ounce.  A 35-horsepower motor furnishes the air."

 

Dr. Hastings was originally a Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] boy, and has many relatives and friends here.  On August 10, 1926, he came to Bainbridge and gave a concert in the Presbyterian Church.  An added feature of the program was the rendition by his uncle, Frank B. Payne, of two solos on the trombone, selected by Dr. Hastings as his favorites.  At that time, in a short address, Dr. Hastings paid high tribute to his "Uncle Frank," thanking him for his letters of encouragement and inspiration throughout his course of study until his graduation from the conservatory at Southern California.  Mr. Payne, of course, was highly gratified to have been the source of inspiration to Dr. Hastings in his outstanding musical accomplishments.