Growing up in a house “full of music”, Doug wanted to be a scientist when he grew up. “In today’s terms, that would probably translate into some type of engineer.  I love technical type work—building, repairing, creating,” he admits. But the muse and influence at home was too strong. “My mother was a trained musician with a degree in voice,” he explains.  “Not only did she sing professionally, she was the choir director in the church where I was raised.  It was because of her that I was exposed to and pursued music.  In addition to singing to me when I was a baby, my mother would put my play pen next to the piano, and I would reach up and ‘play’ the keys.”  And so, at age 7, he began formal lessons, which continued for the next seventeen years as he earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Kentucky in Lexington - studying under the late Arnold Blackburn – and a Master of Music Degree in Church Music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. In the fall of 1996, Doug “found” Wilmington and moving here from Florida, became Director of Music at First Presbyterian the following February.  He is now in his twelfth year as Director of Music. 

For Leightenheimer, the organ world is blossoming with a fantastic new generation of incredible, talented performers.   The unfortunate trend for some churches to abandon the pipe organ has somewhat diminished the use of the organ in that setting, but the instrument remains strong as a concert instrument and in churches that value the tradition and beauty of the pipe organ in worship. “I love the organ music of Bach, Mendelssohn, Vierne, Widor and about a hundred others,” he explains. “I’m not sure that there is a feeling that can be described when playing it, but it is incredible.  Mozart called the organ the ‘King of Instruments’ because of its incredible dynamic range and its enormous tonal color palette.  It is truly a full orchestra that can be played with a keyboard.  Although the piano and harpsichord are beautiful instruments, they do not possess the enormous range and color of the organ.”

In addition to his duties as Music Director, Doug directs the Music at First series. It is now in its twelfth season and is the successor of the Music Vesper Series.  When he became Director of Music in 1997, he decided to give the series a fresh name and look. “The goal of the series is to offer quality concerts to the Wilmington area free of charge (90% of the MAF annual budget is supported through its Patron’s program), and to offer our wealth of local musicians, national and international groups a venue to perform,” he explains. The response has been wonderful and many local performers have found a home in the series, and the community has supported it well.

Like the bricks from his hometown that form the visual appeal of the historic streets