Kathy Orth

Principal Organist

Kathy Orth

I am extremely honored to be the principal organist at First United Methodist Church - since Dec. 1, 2007. I love the music program but especially the wonderful pipe organ. Prior to this I was the organist (11 years) at Memorial Presbyterian Church. I have played and studied organ since 9th grade. I began playing piano at age 4. My piano accompanying in the area has included the Appleton Boy Choir, Badger Girls Choir, State Honors Middle School Chorus, musicals at Appleton East and North High Schools, student and faculty recitals at Lawrence University, church choir, McDowell Chorus, Chaminade Chorus, and the Fox Valley Symphony. I also play alto sax, oboe, guitar, dulcimer, handbells, autoharp, and native American flute. 

I graduated with honors from Lawrence University's Conservatory in music education (vocal/general music major), and earned my master's degree in curriculum with a fine arts emphasis from Lesley University (Cambridge, MA). For 35 years I was a vocal/general music specialist, and have taught all grades (kindergarten through high school) including Illinois, Texas, Kiel, Hartland, and Appleton. The last 20 years I taught in Appleton, and I am now retired. I am a music adjudicator (40+ years) for Wisconsin district and state solo-ensemble festivals (39 years) and have directed and accompanied many school musicals, numerous concerts, 2 swing choirs, a church and handbell choir, a 300-voice combined 6th grade choir in Texas, and directed the Lawrence Alumni Choir for Reunion. I have studied organ with Cal Moely, Miriam Duncan, Naomi Rowley, Kathryn Handford, and Bruce Bengston.

I volunteer at the Community Clothes Closet, the Fox Cities PAC, and am a member of the Prayer Shawl Ministry at church, and I play alto sax in the Neenah Community Band. My husband, Larry, was a band instructor, most recently at TCCES (Twin Cities Catholic Education System) in Neenah and Menasha. He is also retired. We have two sons - Bryan who is a pilot with United Airlines, and Darin who is a Financial Advisor; both live in Orlando, FL.

Things I like to do - knit, quilt, read, bike, golf, shop, travel.