The six annual Organ Week, a summer organ festival presented by the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at Colorado State University, takes place June 4-7 with concerts, lectures, and masterclasses held at the University Center for the Arts, First United Methodist Church, and First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins.
The School continues its year-long celebration the 50th anniversary of the renowned Casavant Organ with nightly concerts featuring world-renowned soloists performing major solo and collaborative works. As an added bonus in 2018, a series of free public lectures and masterclasses is also being offered.
The Organ Week concerts include Baroque concertos for organ and harpsichord performed by members of the Fort Collins Symphony, conducted by Wes Kenney with organ week guests; a duo concert performed by Canadian Brass trumpet player Caleb Hudson and CSU’s Joel Bacon, and more.
Tickets for the nightly concerts range from free to $14 and are available at the University Center for the Arts ticket office in the UCA lobby 60 minutes prior to performances or online at CSUArtsTickets.com. All tickets are subject to a $1 ticket fee for both online and at-the-door purchases. Due to event popularity and to avoid at-the-door fees, advance ticket purchase is highly recommended.
The series of free public lectures and masterclasses is open to organists of all levels as well as organ enthusiasts. Sessions include “Building an organ: A view from 18th century France,” “How organs work: Up close with CSU’s Casavant organ,” “Organ masterclass: repertoire to 1800,” and more. Due to limited space, registration is required for these daytime sessions.
Complete details, tickets, and registration are available online at music.colostate.edu.
Colorado State University, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance; Professors Joel Bacon, organ, and Caleb Hudson, trumpet
2018 Organ Week Nightly Concerts
Baroque Concertos for Organ and Harpsichord
Monday, June 4, 7:30 p.m., Organ Recital Hall, UCA
Featuring members of the Fort Collins Symphony, directed by Wes Kenney with Joel Bacon, James David Christie, and Ken Cowan
An evening of organ and harpsichord concertos with three internationally acclaimed organists and members of the Fort Collins Symphony, conducted by Wes Kenney. Works include: G. F. Handel’s Concerto for Organ in F Major, Op. 4/4, and three works by J.S. Bach: Concerto in G Major for Organ, Wq. 34, Concerto for Solo Harpsichord in D minor, BWV 1052, and Concerto for Two Harpsichords in C Major, BWV 1061. Tickets: No Charge/CSU students; $3/youth (under 18); $12/seniors; $14/general public
Solo Organ Recital: Ken Cowan
Tuesday, June 5, 7:30 p.m., Organ Recital Hall, UCA
Ken Cowan is one of North America’s finest concert organists. Praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique and imaginative programming by audiences and critics alike, he maintains a rigorous performing schedule which takes him to major concert venues and churches in America, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Tickets: No Charge/CSU students; $3/youth (under 18); $12/seniors; $14/general public
Duo Recital: Caleb Hudson, Trumpet and Joel Bacon, Organ – FREE
Wednesday, June 6, 7:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1005 Stover St., Fort Collins
No charge, no tickets, open seating beginning at 7 p.m.
The program features Caleb Hudson, trumpet player for the Canadian Brass, and CSU’s Joel Bacon performing works from the Baroque to the contemporary, including Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto in D Major, RV 230, Petr Eben’sOkna(Jerusalem Windows by Marc Chagall), and music by J.S. Bach.
CSU Organ Week Closing Concert
Thursday, June 7, 7:30 p.m., Organ Recital Hall, UCA
Featuring James David Christie, Joel Bacon, and Ken Cowan
The final program of CSU’s 2018 Organ Week features all of the week’s guest organists in an unforgettable evening of music on CSU’s famed Casavant organ. Tickets: No Charge/CSU students; $3/youth (under 18); $12/seniors; $14/general public
2018 Organ Week Public Lectures and Masterclasses
Monday, June 4
9 a.m. / Building an organ: A view from 18th-century France
10:30 a.m. / Try the organ! An organ demonstration for young people
2 p.m. / Fundamentals of organ registration
Tuesday, June 5
9 a.m. / How organs work: Up close with CSU’s Casavant organ
10:30 a.m. / The art of harpsichord playing
2 p.m. / Harpsichord masterclass
6:45 p.m. / CSU’s Casavant organ: The next 50 years
Wednesday, June 6
9 a.m. / Building an organ: A view from 18th-century France
10:30 a.m. / Organ masterclass I: repertoire to 1800
2 p.m. / Organ masterclass II: repertoire from 1800
Thursday, June 7
9 a.m. / How organs work: Up close with CSU’s Casavant organ
10:30 a.m / Roundtable discussion: The future of the organ