A classical musician in a class of his own, John Wustman was on the receiving end of a sweet-sounding surprise Sunday.
On the cusp of turning 90, the renowned accompanist stood outside his front door on South Lincoln Avenue in Urbana as fellow masked members of Hessel Park Christian Reformed Church belted out Christmas carols and âHappy Birthday.â
âItâs like the whole church is here,â said Wustman, whose birthday falls on Christmas.
Wustman, a professor emeritus at the UI, is a big deal who has played alongside major artists, among them Luciano Pavarotti. But at church, heâs a regular Joe who volunteers whenever and wherever needed.