Organist Extraordinaire - News and Weather For The Quad Cities -

Organist Extraordinaire

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She is gifted. Consistency is one of her hallmarks. For fifty years, Carol Harden has provided heavenly music at First Congregational Church in Clinton. Carol plays the pipe organ, and remarkably, has played at just about every church in Clinton. She has also played at churches in Camanche and Fulton.

Carol grew up in a musical family. She began piano lessons at about ten years of age. As a teenager, she got introduced to the organ, and the rest is history. In fifty years, she has played at church weddings, funerals, and other functions. Her friends in choir say she knows how to bring out the best in the organ. She makes everything flow.

Harden estimates she has played at forty two churches in and around the Clinton area. She jokes, and says occasionally she hits a wrong note. Her grandson Evan also plays piano, sometimes at First Congregational Church.

A few months ago the community honored Carol for fifty years of dedicated service. The humble church organist has never accepted a stipend, instead redirecting that money to the church. It's Carol's way of saying thank you for the musical gift God has given her.