Spreckels Organ Society announces free summer concert series

Civic Organist Emeritus Robert Plimpton launches the 25th Anniversary Summer International Organ Festival in Balboa Park with the first of 10 free concerts beginning at 7:15 p.m. on June 25.

The Summer International Organ Festival in Balboa Park is a San Diego summer musical tradition under the stars. (Photo credit Bob Lang, Lighting Design by Roy Attridge)

The concert will feature music for organ, brass and percussion with an ensemble conducted by Shannon Kitelinger, Director of Wind Ensembles at San Diego State University, and made up of friends and members of the San Diego Symphony.

Plimpton was asked to open the 25th Anniversary Festival by San Diego Civic Organist Carol Williams.

“When Carol generously invited me to play the opening concert in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Summer Organ Festival, it seemed that something splendid would be appropriate,” explains Plimpton.  “There is hardly anything more splendid than the sound of organ and brass, particularly outside.”

This year’s Festival features 10 internationally-celebrated organists playing free concerts each Monday evening from June 25 through August 27, 2012 at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.

The historic Spreckels Organ is the largest outdoor pipe organ in America and is situated at the center of one of the country’s most beautiful urban parks.

Plimpton’s June 25 concert will include major works for organ and brass by Charles-Marie Widor, Sir Arthur Bliss and Marcel Dupre, along with a Concerto for Organ, Brass and Percussion composed by Robert Elmore for our soloist Robert Plimpton.

The rest of the 2012 Summer International Organ Festival concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and all are FREE of charge.  Music-loving children and pets are welcome.  Light snacks, beverages and unique gifts are available on the pavilion grounds with proceeds from donations benefiting the not-for-profit Spreckels Organ Society.

Still to come in the Summer International Organ Festival line up are Simon Gledhill on July 2, Tom Trenney on July 9, Ty Woodward on Monday, July 16,  Diane Bish on July 23, Carlo Curley on July 3, Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault on August 6, Gordon Turk on August 13,  beloved silent movie master Dennis James accompanying the 1924 comedy “Hot Water” with Harold Lloyd on August 20 and a festive finale with Carol Williams on August 27.

For more information about the Spreckels Organ Society including a listing of upcoming concerts, visit sosorgan.org or the Spreckels Organ Society Facebook fan page.

*Contributed by Spreckels Organ Society