Concordia dedicated its new organ over the weekend, revealing the special character of the instrument's sound and acknowledging the rich history of organ pedagogy and composition at the university.
Delivered in April, the 38-rank organ took six weeks to unpack, install and tune after its journey from Canada. The manufacturer, Casavant Frères, is headquartered in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, and is the oldest continuing organ builder in North America.
Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, chair of the Department of Music and university organist, selected an eclectic range of pieces for the new organ's debut. The program included some familiar pieces such as J.S. Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and hymns to be sung by the audience. Blersch also selected pieces written by previous Concordia professors and organists Jan Bender, Ted Beck and Charles Ore.
"It's a very humbling experience to follow in the footsteps of such influential musicians," said Blersch. "I thought that this would be an appropriate way to honor their service to Concordia and their contributions to the musical community at large."
The organ is a 3-manual instrument with more than 2,000 pipes. It serves the current 15 students with organ as their principal instrument and another 10 to 15 taking organ courses this year.
"While our new organ is not an especially large instrument, it is unique in that it is dedicated to teaching, learning and student performance," said Blersch, "It is the best instructional organ in the state in terms of its versatility and tonal design."
Another way in which the organ is unique is its location. The recital hall in the Music Center was renovated in preparation for the new instrument. While more than 200 may enjoy a concert in the hall, the space is more intimate than many of the concert halls and churches in the area.
Concordia will continue to hosting concerts throughout the year to celebrate the new instrument. Some of the events include a concert with the Lincoln student chapter of the American Guild of Organists and Felix Hell, an acclaimed organist from Germany, will perform in connection with the Jones National Bank & Trust Fine Art Series.
See also: Concerts to show off new Concordia organ (by Joanie Cradick for the Lincoln Journal Star) / New Steinway piano debuts Sept. 28
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