The International Year of the Organ
and Organ Spectacular
The American Guild of Organists designated 2008-2009 as the International Year of the Organ, a time to exhibit the pride that we share in our chosen instrument. Musicians and organizations throughout the world are joining with us in celebrating the King of Instruments. October 19 is an international day of celebration and a focal point of this International Year of the Organ Celebration with more than 2000 performers presenting concerts throughout North America and abroad today.
The Richmond Chapter celebrates with three Organ Spectacular concerts performed simultaneously and repeated so that you may hear two.
Douglas Brown performs at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church on one of the rare pipe organs built by noted organist and pedagogue, Robert Noehren. Mr. Brown’s program features compositions by African-American composers including Norfolk’s highly regarded Adolphus Hailstork.
At First Presbyterian Church Cheryl Van Ornam performs on the Andover Organ with a program focusing on the organ in its role accompanying two of Richmond’s finest singers: Tracey Welborn and Marsha Summers.
The concert at Salisbury Presbyterian Church features a unique instrument – a hybrid organ with a Casavant pipe organ as its foundation augmented by digitally produced sounds. Robert Murray, violinist, and Jeffrey Price, trombonist, perform with organists Mark Koontz and Ardyth Lohuis.
The celebration continues with our Repertoire Recital Series featuring acclaimed organists. Each concert begins at 7:30. p.m.
Craig Cramer, Monday, November 10. University of Richmond Chapel
Carla Edwards, Friday, March 6, 2009, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Dong-ill Shin, Friday, May 1, 2009, Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Organ Spectacular Flier (PDF)
