Guests arriving for Wally’s 30th Anniversary Party on January 30th hardly recognized Reidy Friendship Hall which had been transformed for the occasion into a glimmering bower of flowers, ribbons and the glow of countless candle flames from the huge collection of candle sticks set up on tables scattered around the room with the Steinway piano dominating the center. There was a party cake iced with a picture of the Holtkamp organ in the Sanctuary, a chocolate fountain, lots of food and champagne. On the platform on the side, a huge scroll invited the comments and signatures of the party guests. The crowd sat at long tables to eat, strolled among the displays, listened to various speeches by Musica Viva chair Miles Chapin, who had organized the party, by Bill Bechman and by Wally Klauss himself.

The party followed a special organ recital upstairs in the sanctuary at which the audience could watch Wally perform on a giant screen. Also featured, was guest conductor Richard Westenberg, as both offered the Rheinberger Concerto Nº 2 for organ and orchestra with organ works by Bach, Duruflé and Buxtehude.