A Mercer resident has been named the third organist and choirmaster in the more than 80-year history of St. John's Episcopal Church in Youngstown, effective the first of the year.

Dr. Richard Konzen has held the same post for six years at First United Methodist Church, Sharon.

A church musician for more than 30 years, he earned an undergraduate degree from DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind.; and two master's degrees and a doctorate from Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

Konzen has served Episcopal churches in Mount Lebanon; Springfield, Mass.; Wilton, Conn.; and Greencastle.

He joined Grove City College's faculty in 1992 as an associate professor of music. He teaches organ and directs the college orchestra.

Konzen has composed liturgical pieces, worked with handbells and is an active recitalist. Grove City's Bach Society community choir grew from 20 singers to more than 60 when he helped organize the group.

Konzen will replace Dr. Ronald L. Gould, who has served St. John's since 1960.