A pair of concerts will be held in honor of a former beloved music teacher in the Palmerton Area School District.

The First United Church of Christ, 457 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton, will hold a memorial concert in honor of John Goodman. The first rehearsal will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19.A music teacher in the district several decades ago, Goodman passed away in the spring after a several year bout with cancer, said Richard Nothstein, a member of the church and former teacher at the high school."John Goodman was a teacher in Palmerton for a bunch of years back in the [19]60s and [19]70s and did a tremendous job in teaching kids how to sing, perform in musical productions, and play musical instruments," Nothstein said. "He was a very well-known church music director for churches throughout the Lehigh Valley, as well as a renowned organist."Nothstein said anyone who would like to participate is welcome. That means any of Goodman's former students, as well as any "Homecoming Chorus" members or people who just like to sing, he said.In addition, Nothstein said a memorial performance is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 14, at the First UCC.Much of the music performed will be selections by Goodman, Nothstein said. Joe Plechavy and Tom Heinz, both former music teachers in the district, will serve as directors of the production, he said.Goodman went on to become the media director for the Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit, had been the "house" organist for the Hershey Theatre for several decades, and played at Radio City, Atlantic City, as well as some of the most notable cathedrals in Europe, Nothstein said.Anyone who has any questions may contact Nothstein at (610) 826-7339, or Plechavy at (610) 360-8343.