The organ studio and CSU faculty Joel Bacon presents the annual Halloween Organ Extravaganza, with classic (and not-so-classic) works, including the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor by J.S. Bach. Spooky sounds are sure to put you in the Halloween spirit on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m., 9 p.m., and 11 p.m. in the Organ Recital Hall at the University Center for the Arts, located at 1400 Remington St.

New this year, tickets are *no charge for CSU students, $1 for youth (under 18), and $12 for the public. Tickets are available at the University Center for the Arts (UCA) ticket office in the UCA lobby Monday through Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m. and 60 minutes prior to performances, by phone at 970-491-ARTS (2787).

The event has been pronounced as “spooky” and “sure to put you in the Halloween spirit.” (Central); “ghoulish fun” (SOURCE), and “spooktacular” (Coloradoan)! It’s been called a “unique take on a Halloween party,” with audience members “quaking either from...the resonating organ or from laughter.” (The Rocky Mountain Collegian)

Described as possessing “the frightful sounds of Halloween,” (Today@ColoradoState), the Halloween-themed organ concert, highlighting the talents of the organ studio, may be celebrating ten years as a CSU tradition, but it’s still as fresh as ever.

When Dr. Joel Bacon, chair of Organ and Liturgical Studies and associate professor of Organ at CSU, came up with the idea to turn his studio recital into a holiday event, he had no idea it would transform into something this big. “I had heard of other universities that had organ recitals on Halloween, there’s natural fit in our culture of spooky music and the organ, and, since we had never done something like this before, I thought, ‘why not?’”

For the inaugural year, just two performances were scheduled, however, when the event staff faced turning away so many patrons, an impromptu third performance was added and every Halloween since, the Organ Studio has hosted a three-performance evening.

Though each year has had its own style and feel – some with faculty members reading spooky stories, some years with song and chant – many things stay the same, such as the ever-present variety of costumes and festive wear to go around and, of course, the fun!  And though there’s a whimsical nature to the Extravaganza, underneath, there’s a much more serious and intentional tone.

“We get to introduce the organ in a compelling and interesting way to an audience that, often, is having their very first, and maybe only, exposure to the instrument,” Dr. Bacon said.

So if you find yourself on a cold and blistery Hollow’s Eve passing below the dark shadow of the UCA and from its dark depths comes the thunderous roar of a pipe organ, step on in because you’re in for a treat!