Events
Upcoming organ events in and around Minnesota
(See also: Michael’s Appearances)
Related link: Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
To print a small part of the calendar, highlight the text with your mouse, copy it (CTRL-C), and paste it (CTRL-V) into a document created in your own word-processing program.
Our Sunday morning MPR broadcasts of PIPEDREAMS are made possible by Members and Friends of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists with information online at TCAGO.org.
We are excited to provide information on vibrant musical happenings in Minnesota and beyond. The organ is featured in each event listed. Some of these may be streamed, too, and others may be offered exclusively online.
Here’s what is on the calendar in coming days and weeks. Many events were tentatively “go” at the time of posting, but specific information may change. Though we will attempt to keep the information on this page current, please consult the individual venues for any last-minute changes and to confirm accuracy.
February
Samuel Backman master class for organists
February 22, Saturday at 9:15AM – visiting soloist Samuel Backman presents a master class for organists at Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church (5202 25th Street South) in Fargo, ND. Free.
VocalEssence at Northrop
February 23, Sunday at 4PM – the annual VocalEssence “Witness” concert of choral music from the African-American tradition, including performances by organist Aaron David Miller, at Northrop (University of Minnesota main campus) in Minneapolis, MN. Admission.
David Lim at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness
Sunday, February 23 at 4PM – music director David Lim showcases the Casavant organ in a concert at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness (2175 First Street) in White Bear Lake. MN. Free.
Samuel Backman at the Church of St. Louis, King-of-France
March
Jason Roberts at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church
February 28, Friday at 7PM – guest organist Jason Roberts accompanies the Charlie Chaplin silent film “The Gold Rush” while playing the 51-rank Schantz pipe organ at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church (17205 County Road 6) in Plymouth, MN. Free/donation.
Pipe Organ Discovery Day
March 1, Saturday from 9AM-3PM – students from grades 3 through 12 are invited by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists to participate in Pipe Organ Discovery Day to learn about the pipe organ and get hands-on experience of the several instruments (by Fisk, Merklin and Jaeckel) available at House of Hope Presbyterian Church (797 Summit Avenue) in Saint Paul, MN. Pizza lunch provided. Registration required, at www.tcago.org.
National Lutheran Choir at the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel
March 2, Sunday at 4PM – the National Lutheran Choir appears in concert in the Chapel Arts Series featuring the 56-rank 19987 Gabriel Kney tracker-action pipe organ in the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel of the University of St. Thomas (Cleveland Avenue at Ashland) in St. Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Sarah Hawbecker at Augustana Lutheran Church
March 7, Friday at 7PM – guest soloist Sarah Hawbecker (Atlanta, GA) plays a solo concert on the 50-rank 2005 Glatter-Götz/Rosales organ at Augustana Lutheran Church (1400 South Robert Street) in West Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Jelani Eddington at First United Methodist Church
March 7, Friday at 7PM – guest soloist Jelani Eddington accompanies the 1926 Harold Lloyd silent filme “Safety Last” in celebration of the refurbishment of the 56-rank Austin pipe organ at First United Methodist Church, “The Coppertop” (230 E. Skyline Parkway) in Duluth, MN. Admission.
Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler at the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College
March 9, Sunday at 2PM – guest recitalist Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler (Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, Scottsdale, AZ) presents a solo concert on the 65-rank Robert Sipe tracker-action organ in the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, IA. Free.
Greg Zelek at St. John’s University
March 9, Sunday at 3 PM – Northrop Organist Greg Zelek is joined by Canadian Brass trumpeter Caleb Hudson in a concert featuring the 64-rank Holtkamp and 47-rank Pasi pipe organs in the Abbey and University Church at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN. Free will offering.
Robert Buckley Farlee and cantor Andrew Stoebig at Mount Olive Lutheran Church
March 9, Sunday at 4PM – music director Robert Buckley Farlee and cantor Andrew Stoebig lead a Lenten Procession of lessons and chorales featuring the 55-rank Schlicker pipe organ at Mount Olive Lutheran Church(3045 Chicago Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Free.
Jean-Baptist Robin master-class for organists at St. Olaf Catholic Church
March 10, Monday at 7:30PM – visiting recitalist Jean-Baptist Robin (organist at the Royal Chapel, Versailles) is presented in a master-class for organists sponsored by the TCAGO at St. Olaf Catholic Church (215 South 8th Street) in downtown Minneapolis, MN. Free/auditors welcome! See also March 11.
Simon Pick at St. Louis, King-of-France
Jean-Baptist Robin at St. Olaf Catholic Church
March 11, Tuesday at 7:30PM – guest recitalist Jean-Baptist Robin (organist at the Royal Chapel, Versailles) is presented in a concert of French repertoire, highlighting the 150th anniversary of the birth of Maurice Ravel (March 7, 1875), sponsored by the TCAGO and featuring the 67-rank Lively-Fulcher pipe organ at St. Olaf Catholic Church (215 South 8th Street) in downtown Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
(Before) Bach’s Birthday Bash
March 15, Saturday from 9AM to 5PM – the annual (Before) Bach’s Birthday Bash, a sequence of free performances at various Saint Paul, MN locations, co-sponsored by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and YourClassical Minnesota Public Radio. Venues and schedule are:
9:00-10:00AM – Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (700 S. Snelling Ave.) in Saint Paul; 60-rank Letourneau-Casavant organ.
10:30AM-12 Noon – Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church (1900 Wellesley Avenue) in Saint Paul; 52-rank Casavant organ
1:00-2:00PM – St. Thomas More Catholic Parish (Summit Avenue at Lexington Avenue) in Saint Paul; 39-rank Casavant organ
2:30-3:30PM – St. Clement Episcopal Church (901 Portland Avenue) in Saint Paul; 27-rank Aeolian-Skinner organ
4:00-5:00PM – House of Hope Presbyterian Church (797 Summit Avenue) in Saint Paul; 97-rank C. B. Fisk pipe organ
Aaron David Miller accompanies The Singers, led by Matthew Culloton at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
March 15, Saturday at 7:30PM – organist Aaron David Miller accompanies The Singers, led by Matthew Culloton, in an all-French program including the Messe Basse by Fauré and the Requiem of Duruflé, featuring the Reuter organ at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (4801 France Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Admission. See also tomorrow.
Aaron David Miller accompanies The Singers, led by Matthew Culloton at House of Hope Presbyterian Church
March 16, Sunday at 3PM - organist Aaron David Miller accompanies The Singers, led by Matthew Culloton, in an all-French program including the Messe Basse by Fauré and the Requiem of Duruflé, featuring the Fisk and Merklin organs at House of Hope Presbyterian Church (797 Summit Avenue) in Saint Paul, MN. Admission.
Flauto Dolce, the duo of flutist Donna Hryniewicki and organist Stacie Lightner at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
March 16, Sunday at 3PM – Flauto Dolce, the duo of flutist Donna Hryniewicki and organist Stacie Lightner present a program featuring the 108-rank Casavant-Schantz organ at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (900 Stillwater Road) in Mahtomedi, MN. Free/donation.
Benton Schmidt at the Church of St. Louis, King-of-France
Patrick Henning at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf
March 19, Wednesday at 12:30 (following noon Mass) – guest soloist Patrick Henning plays the 6th concert in the 2024-2025 Noontime Series featuring the 67-rank 2001 Lively-Fulcher pipe organ at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf (215 South 8th Street) in downtown Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation. No April recital.
Kali Malone at Northrop’s Carlson Family Stage
March 20, Thursday at 7PM – a category-pushing performance by Stockholm-based American composer and organist Kali Malone, making her Liquid Music/Northrop debut with All Life Long, a ‘gnawingly beautiful’ score for organ, voices, and brass ensemble (featuring UorMN ensembles) highlighting the 1932-35 Aeolian-Skinner concert organ on Northrop’s Carlson Family Stage at the University of Minnesota’s main campus (84 Church Street SE) in Minneapolis, MN. Admission.
David Tryggestad at the Sacred Heart Music Center
March 21, Friday at 7PM – venerable local organist David Tryggestad plays a 75th Anniversary (his!) Gala Benefit Concert featuring the historic 1898 Felgemaker pipe organ at the Sacred Heart Music Center (201 West 4thStreet) in Duluth, MN. Admission (for the organ’s upkeep).
Donna Hryniewicki and Stacie Lightner (Flauto Dolce) at Central Lutheran Church
March 23, Sunday at 3PM – the flute and organ team of Donna Hryniewicki and Stacie Lightner (Flauto Dolce) present a concert of music by Widor, Krebs, Diemer and others featuring the 39-rank Hendrickson pipe organ at Central Lutheran Church (259 West Wabasha Street) in Winona, MN. Free/donation.
Samuel Libra at the Church of St. Louis, King-of-France
“The Seven Last Words of Christ“ directed by Robert Vickery at Church of the Holy Childhood
March 28, Friday at 7PM – a Lenten concert performance of the Passiontide oratorio “The Seven Last Words of Christ“ by Theodore Dubois will be presented by the Holy Childhood Schola, with accompaniment by orchestra and the 61-rank Wicks-Hoppe organ, directed by Robert Vickery at Church of the Holy Childhood (1435 Midway Parkway) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Choir of Westminster Abbey, London directed by Simon Johnson, at St. John’s Benedictine Abbey Church
Charles Sundquist at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary
March 30, Sunday at 2PM – area musician Charles Sundquist plays Marcel Dupre’s Le Chemin de la Croix in a recital featuring the 34-rank 1988 Sipe pipe organ at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary (2801 East 4th Street) in Duluth, MN. Free/donation.
Red River Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists at St. Joseph Catholic Church
March 30, Sunday at 2PM – members of the Red River Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists present an organ-and-piano concert featuring the Boston grand piano and 42-rank Nelson Pipe Organ at St. Joseph Catholic Church (218 South 19th Street) in Moorhead, MN. Free/donation.
April
The music of Sir James MacMillan at the Cathedral of Saint Paul
April 4, Friday at 7:30PM – a concert devoted to the music of Sir James MacMillan, including the premiere of a newly commissioned piece, presented by Philip Brunelle as part of the VocalEssence season but involving SEVEN Twin Cities church choirs and organ, at the Cathedral of Saint Paul (239 Selby Avenue) in Saint Paul, MN. Free.
The annual TCAGO-Schubert Club Young Artists Organ Competition at Normandale Lutheran Church
April 5, Saturday, TBA – the annual TCAGO-Schubert Club Young Artists Organ Competition, managed by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and featuring the Dobson/Schlicker pipe organ, will be held at Normandale Lutheran Church (6100 Normandale Road) in Edina, MN. The public is invited, details TBA.
Jared Ostermann at Augustana University
April 6, Sunday at 3PM – Sioux Falls Cathedral organist Jared Ostermann plays a program of Bach Lenten Chorale-preludes featuring the 43-rank Nordlie tracker-action organ in the chapel at Augustana University (2001 South Summit Avenue) in Sioux Falls, SD. Free.
Filip Presseisen at the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop on the University of Minnesota
April 6, Sunday at 3PM – prize-winning guest soloist Filip Presseisen (from Poland) provides improvised accompaniment to the classic silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc, featuring the remarkable 108-rank Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ above the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop on the University of Minnesota main campus in Minneapolis. MN. Admission.
Filip Presseisen at the Church of St. Louis, King-of-France
Shayla Van Hal at The Center for Faith and Life at Luther College
April 13, Sunday at 5:30PM – visiting faculty recitalist Shayla Van Halpresents a solo concert on the 65-rank Robert Sipe tracker-action organ in the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, IA. Free.
Andrew Schaeffer at the Church of St. Louis, King-of-France
Pedals, Pipes and Pizza event at 1st Lutheran Church in Duluth, MN
Pipe Organ Heritage Committee of the Twin Cities American Guild of Organists Chapter Organ Crawl
Saturday, April 26, 10AM-5PM – the Pipe Organ Heritage Committee of the Twin Cities American Guild of Organists Chapter has organized an Organ Crawl, a day of musical exploration in Central Minnesota. You are encouraged to make use of a chartered bus for the day’s transportation, with free parking on the conveniently accessed lot of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Minneapolis. Pre-registration is required www.tcago.org)
Schedule:
8:30 Depart Minneapolis
10:00 Arrive Sacred Heart, Freeport
11:30 Arrive Saints Peter & Paul, Richmond
12:45 St John's University, lunch in Refectory
1:30 SJU Auditorium - Marrin studio organ
2:00 St. John’s Abbey Church, Collegeville
3:00 Tour of Abbey Organ Builders
4:30 Depart
4:45 Arrive St Wendelin's, Luxembourg
5:15 Depart for Minneapolis
6:15 Arrive Minneapolis
Red River Theatre Organ Society at A Center for the Arts
April 27, Sunday at 2PM – members of the Red River Theatre Organ Society (Bo Anderson, Alex Swanson, Elliot Sander, Alex Moe and Dylan Thiele) present their Second Annual Silent Movie Matinee, including an original score by Elliot Sander for the Clara Bow silent classic Get Your Man, featuring the 12-rank Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ at A Center for the Arts (124 West Lincoln Avenue) in Fergus Falls, MN. Admission.
Kristina Rizzotto at the Church of St. Louis, King-of-France
May
Balint Karosi at Hope Presbyterian Church
May 2, Friday at 7:30PM – guest recitalist Balint Karosi (1st Presbyterian, Philadelphia) presents a solo concert of music by Bach and Friends under the auspices of the Bach Society of Minnesota featuring the magnificent 97-rank 1979 Fisk pipe organ at House of Hope Presbyterian Church (797 Summit Avenue) in Saint Paul, MN. Admission.
Balint Karosi master-class at the chapel of the St. Paul Seminary
May 3, Saturday from 9:30AM-noon – visiting soloist Balint Karosi will lead a Bach-focused master-class for TCAGO members and friends in the chapel of the St. Paul Seminary (2260 Summit Avenue) in Saint Paul, MN. Free. Interested observers are invited.
In Praise of Bach at the chapel of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth
May 3, Saturday at 7PM – area organists present an evening In Praise of Bach featuring the 32-rank 1993 Marrin tracker-action organ in the chapel of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, MN. Free/donation.
Richard Gray at the Church of St. Louis, King-of-France
Greg Zelek at the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop on the University of Minnesota
May 6, Tuesday at 7PM – recently appointed Northrop Organist Greg Zelek presents an Organ Plus program with diverse other instrumental collaborators, featuring the 108-rank Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ above the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop on the University of Minnesota main campus in Minneapolis. MN. Admission (UofMN students free), also live-streamed.
Kathrine Handford at the Church of St. Louis, King-of-France
Cathedral Choir, Choral Society and Orchestra, led by Raymond Johnston at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
May 17, Saturday at 7:30PM – the Cathedral Choir, Choral Society and Orchestra, led by Raymond Johnston, present “Dona Nobis Pacem” by Ralph Vaughan Williams as the season’s concluding event in the Music Series of St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral (519 Oak Grove) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
David Cherwien at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
May 18, Sunday at 4PM – guest organist David Cherwien leads a Hymn Festival as the concluding event in the season’s music series featuring the 55-rank 1965 Casavant pipe organ at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (4100 Lyndale Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Charles Barlandn at the Church of St. Louis, King-of-France
Joel Anderson at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf
May 21, Wednesday at 12:30 (following noon Mass) – resident soloist Joel Anderson plays the final concert in the 2024-2025 Noontime Series featuring the 67-rank 2001 Lively-Fulcher pipe organ at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf (215 South 8th Street) in downtown Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
June
North Shore organists at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors, MN.
June 1, Sunday at 3PM – a group of the best North Shore organists (Velda Graham Bell, Rosemary Guiney, Thomas Hamilton, Rachael Kresha, Charles Sundquist & David Tryggestad) will play a benefit concert to raise funds for restorative repairs to the historic 1883 Hook & Hastings (Opus 1165) pipe organ at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (227 Third Street) in Two Harbors, MN. Donation.
June 7 • 9:00PM
June 8 • 9:00PM
Kathy Saltzman Romey at Mount Olive Lutheran Church
June 7 (Saturday) & 8 (Sunday) at 4PM – the 18th annual Bach Tage, led by Kathy Saltzman Romey, devoted to preparation and performance of Bach’s Cantata No. 74 and other works by Praetorius and Pachelbel, with the Mirandola Ensemble, including the 55-rank Schlicker pipe organ at Mount Olive Lutheran Church(3045 Chicago Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
David Wickerham at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, WI
June 15, Sunday at 2PM – organist David Wickerham presents a Red, White & Blue Spectacular of musical Americana featuring the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, WI. Admission.
July
Benton Schmidt at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe near La Crosse, WI
July 13, Sunday at 3PM – guest soloist Benton Schmidt (Newman Center, North Dakota State University) plays a concert on the 50-rank 2008 Noack tracker-action organ in the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (5250 Justin Road) just outside La Crosse, WI. Free/donation. The Culina Mariana Café in the Visitors Center is an excellent place for pre-concert lunch.
Margaret-Mary Sauppé at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe near La Crosse, WI
July 27, 2025, Sunday at 3PM – guest soloist Margaret-Mary Sauppé (Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church, Los Alamos, NM) plays a concert on the 50-rank 2008 Noack tracker-action organ in the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (5250 Justin Road) just outside La Crosse, WI. Free/donation. The Culina Mariana Café in the Visitors Center is an excellent place for pre-concert lunch.
August
Carolyn Diamond at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf
August 23, Saturday at 7:00 PM – local soloist Carolyn Diamond plays a concert with music following the theme “Sounds of Joy” featuring the 67-rank 2001 Lively-Fulcher pipe organ at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf (215 South 8th Street) in downtown Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
