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.
2025
November
Nicholas Hinson at St. John’s Lutheran Church
November 23, Sunday 9AM – resident musician Nicholas Hinson will provide special music to celebrate the installation of the rebuilt Casavant pipe organ (formerly of Lutheran Seminary Chapel) at St. John’s Lutheran Church (625 12th Avenue) in Howard Lake, MN. A celebratory brunch (11AM) will be served post-service.
Hector Olivera at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes
November 23, Sunday at 3PM – the world-acclaimed virtuoso Hector Olivera makes a rare Twin Cities appearance playing the Tim Patterson organ at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (1 Lourdes Place) in Minneapolis MN. Free/donation.
Luminiscence at the Basilica of St. Mary
November 27 through December 31 (Thursday and Friday evenings at 7PM and 8:45PM; Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:45PM and 9:30PM) - an immersive sound-and-light show, Luminiscence, with 360-degree video projections plus recorded and live choir and orchestral music (depending on the day, check the website) including 40-minute organ preludes on most ‘orchestra nights’ played by resident musician Sam Holmberg and featuring the 1949 Wicks pipe organ, all at the Basilica of St. Mary (1600 Hennepin Avenue) in Minneapolis, MN, where art and technology combine at the service of heritage. Admission.
Stephen Hamilton at Olivet Congregational Church
November 30, Sunday at 3PM – in collaboration with performers from Early Music Minnesota, organist Stephen Hamilton presents a program of Music for Advent at featuring the 33-rank 1976 Dobson organ at Olivet Congregational Church (1850 Iglehart Avenue) in Saint Paul, MN. Admission charged.
Daniel Schwandt at Mount Olive Lutheran Church
November 30, Sunday at 4PM – newly appointed cantor and organist Daniel Schwandt accompanist an Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols featuring the 55-rank 1966 Schlicker pipe organ at Mount Olive Lutheran Church (3045 Chicago Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
December
Benton Schmidt at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Nils Halker at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church
December 7, Sunday at 4:30PM – resident organist Nils Halker and choir director Mark Stahura present an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols featuring the 27-rank 1964 Aeolian-Skinner organ at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church (901 Portland Avenue) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Christmas Carol Ring & Sing
December 8, Monday at 7PM – the annual Christmas Carol Ring & Sing hosted jointly by the Red River Valley Chapter of the AGO and the Fargo Moorhead Area Music Club, featuring the 59-rank 2006 Schantz pipe organ at 1st Presbyterian Church (650 Second Avenue North) in Fargo, ND. The MSUM Choral Department will also take part in the concert. Donations will be collected for the Music Club's scholarship funds and the local food pantry.
Luminiscence at the Basilica of St. Mary
December 11 through December 31 (Thursday and Friday evenings at 7PM and 8:45PM; Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:45PM and 9:30PM) - an immersive sound-and-light show, Luminiscence, with 360-degree video projections plus recorded and live choir and orchestral music (depending on the day, check the website) including 40-minute organ preludes on most ‘orchestra nights’ played by resident musician Sam Holmberg and featuring the 1949 Wicks pipe organ, all at the Basilica of St. Mary (1600 Hennepin Avenue) in Minneapolis, MN, where art and technology combine at the service of heritage. Admission.
Greg Zelek at Northrop
December 20, Saturday at 3PM – organist Greg Zelek offers ‘Sounds of the Season’, a holiday matinee concert 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.
A Great British Christmas
December 20, Saturday at 7:30PM – the Cathedral Choir, Choral Society and Orchestra, led by resident musician Raymond Johnston, present A Great British Christmas concert, including a performance of the John Rutter fable Brother Heinrich’s Christmas (narrated by Michael Barone) at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark (519 Oak Grove Street) in Minneapolis, MN. Admission.
AGO's Annual Christmas Concert
December 21, Sunday at 3PM – the Red River Valley Chapter of the AGO's annual Christmas Concert, hosted jointly this year with the Red River Theatre Organ Society, features the restored 12-rank 1950 Reuter-Moe pipe organ at Eksjo Lutheran Church (11516 US-10) Lake Park, MN 56554. Free/donation.
Richard Gray at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
December 21, Sunday at 4PM – music director Richard Gray leads a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with choir and the Skinner-Schantz organ at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church (60 Kent Street) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Brass and Organ Holiday at the Phipps Center
December 22, Monday at 7PM – members of the Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble team up with organist Bill Chouniard for A Brass and Organ Holiday program featuring the 16-rank 1026 Wurlitzer organ at the Phipps Center (109 Locust Street) in Hudson, WI. Admission.
2026
January
Jeffrey Patry at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Jeffrey Patry at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
VocalEssence at the Cathedral of Saint Paul
January 16, Friday at 7:30PM – an 80th birthday celebration of famed British conductor/composer John Rutter, including many of his best-loved choral works and the Midwest premiere of I’ll Make Me a World on text by James Weldon Johnson, featuring the VocalEssence Chorus and Ensemble Singers at the Cathedral of Saint Paul (239 Selby Avenue) in St. Paul, MN. Admission.
Isaac Drewes at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf
January 21, Wednesday at 12:30 (following noon Mass) – guest soloist Isaac Drewes (Central Lutheran, Mpls) plays the 4th concert in the 2025-2026 Noontime Series featuring the 67-rank 2001 Lively-Fulcher pipe organ at the Catholic Church of St, Olaf (215 8thAvenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Dean Billmeyer at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
January 23, Friday at 7PM – resident artist Dean Billmeyer plays a concert on the Skinner-Schantz organ at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church (60 Kent Street) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Christopher Ganza at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
TCAGO-sponsored Professional Development Day
January 31, Saturday from 9:30AM-3PM – a TCAGO-sponsored Professional Development Day for organists and church musicians, with four featured topics and church-catered lunch. At Mount Calvary Lutheran Church (301 County Road 19) in Excelsior, MN. Details TBA.
February
Donnie Rankin at the Phipps Center
February 1, Sunday at 2PM – guest theatre organist Donnie Rankin plays a mixed program Bach to the Future, on the 16-rank 1926 Wurlitzer organ at the Phipps Center (109 Locust Street) in Hudson, WI. Admission.
Jacob Benda at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
How to Train Your Dragon Presented by Friends of the Felgemaker at the Sacred Heart Music Center
February 7, Saturday from 10:00AM – 11:30AM – Friends of the Felgemaker hosts an interactive program for children called “How to Train Your Dragon.” Among other activities, children will have the opportunity to hear the historic 26-rank Felgemaker pipe organ at the Sacred Heart Music Center (201 West 4th Street) in Duluth, MN. Free.
Joseph Trucano at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Pipe Organ Discovery Day
Ann Laver at Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, IA
February 22, Sunday at 4PM – guest soloist Ann Laver (Syracuse University) plays the annual Benefactor’s Concert’ featuring the 65-rank Robert Sipe tracker-action pipe organ in the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, IA. Free/donation.
VocalEssence presents Witness at the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop
February 22, Sunday at 4PM – VocalEssence presents its annual Witness concert Symphony of Spirituals conducted by G. Phillip Shoultz III, including prelude performances on 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.
Samuel Libra at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Johannes Skoog at Augustana Lutheran Church
February 27, Friday at 7PM – winner of the 2024 Canadian International Organ Competition, Johannes Skoog, presents a solo concert featuring the 50-rank 2005 Glatter-Götze/Rosales organ at Augustana Lutheran Church (1400 Robert Street South) in West Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation. A reception and artist-interview Q&A interaction with Michael Barone will follow the concert.
March
Grand Concerto for Organ and Orchestra with Jacob Benda at Roseville Lutheran Church
February 28, Saturday at 7:30PM – a performance of the Grand Concerto for Organ and Orchestra by Stephen Paulus, with soloist Jacob Benda, as part of a concert by the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra led by Yuri Ivan, featuring the new Nordlie-Holtkamp pipe organ at Roseville Lutheran Church (1215 Roselawn Avenue West) in Roseville, MN. Free/donation.
Damin Spritzer at St. John’s Benedictine Abbey Church
March 1, Sunday at 3PM – world-touring guest soloist Damin Spritzer (University of Oklahoma) plays a solo concert on the expanded 111-rank 1961 Holtkamp/2020 Pasi pipe organ at St. John’s Benedictine Abbey Church in Collegeville, MN. Free.
Kristina Rizzotto at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Greg Zelek at the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop
March 5, Thursday 7:30PM – organist Greg Zelek plays the solo part in Poulenc’s Organ Concerto as accompaniment to the Joffrey Ballet on the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop on University of Minnesota main campus, Minneapolis, MN. Admission.
Lake Wobegon Brass Band at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark
March 7, Saturday at 7:30PM – the Lake Wobegon Brass Band presents a concert at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark (519 Oak Grove Street) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Nils Halker at the Cathedral of St. Mark
March 8, Sunday at 5PM – organist Nils Halker and conductor Mark Stahura lead the Choir of St. Clement’s Episcopal Church (St. Paul) in the St. Clement’s Service by Doug Shambo as part of a Memorial Evensong featuring the 87-stop Foley-Baker organ at the Cathedral of St. Mark (519 Oak Grove Street) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Gregory Peterson at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
The Singers at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
March 14, Saturday at 7:30PM – a Psalm-based program of works by Gregorio Allegri, Caroline Shaw, Abbie Betinis, Ernani Aguiar, and Anton Bruckner, including Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms (with organist Aaron David Miller, features The Singers led by Matthew Culloton at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (4801 France Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Admission. Repeated tomorrow at 4PM in Saint Paul.
The Singers at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
March 15, Sunday at 4PM – a Psalm-based program of works by Gregorio Allegri, Caroline Shaw, Abbie Betinis, Ernani Aguiar, and Anton Bruckner, including Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms (with organist Aaron David Miller, features The Singers led by Matthew Culloton at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (4801 France Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Admission.
Thomas Vozzella at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Mary Joy Rieder at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf
March 18, Wednesday at 12:30 (following noon Mass) – guest soloist Mary Joy Rieder plays the 5th concert in the 2025-2026 Noontime Series featuring the 67-rank 2001 Lively-Fulcher pipe organ at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf (215 8th Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
(Before) Bach’s Birthday Bash
March 21, Saturday from 9AM-5PM – the annual (Before) Bach’s Birthday Bash, five hour-long concerts af different venues, highlighting the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, sponsored by TCAGO. Details TBA.
Richard Gray at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
March 22, Sunday at 4PM – music director Richard Gray leads a Choral Evensong for Lent at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church (60 Kent Street) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Dean Billmeyer - Influencers, In-Crowds and Interpertations - at Augustana Lutheran Church
March 24, Tuesday at 7PM – sponsored by the Bach Society, emeritus University of Minnesota organ professor Dean Billmeyer presents an all-Bach program…Influencers, In-Crowds and Interpertations…featuring the 50-rank Glatter-Götz/Rosales pipe organ at Augustana Lutheran Church (4100 Robert Street South) in Saint Paul, MN. Admission.
Stephen Hamilton at Hamline Church United Methodist
Sunday, March 29 at 4PM – organist Stephen Hamilton presents a concert performance of Marcel Dupré’s The Stations of the Cross, a sequence of 14 musical meditations based on the grippingly dramatic poetry of Paul Claudel, which will be read (in English translation) by Michael Barone, featuring the 70-rank Casavant pipe organ at Hamline Church United Methodist (1514 Englewood Avenue) in Saint Paul, MN. Admission charged.
April
Raymond Johnston at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark
April 3, Friday at 7:30PM – the Cathedral Choir, led by Raymond Johnston, presents Music for Good Friday at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark (519 Oak Grove Street) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Andrew Schaeffer at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Greg Zelek with VocalEssence at St. John’s Benedictine Abbey Church in Collegeville
Saturday, April 11 at 4PM – a guest appearance by the choirs of VocalEssence, led by Philip Brunelle, with organist Greg Zelek, featuring the expanded 111-rank 1961 Holtkamp/2020 Pasi pipe organ at St. John’s Benedictine Abbey Church in Collegeville, MN. Admission.
Samuel Backman at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Celina Kobetitsch at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf
April 15, Wednesday at 12:30 (following noon Mass) – guest soloist Celina Kobetitsch plays the 6th concert in the 2025-2026 Noontime Series featuring the 67-rank 2001 Lively-Fulcher pipe organ at the Catholic Church of St, Olaf (215 8th Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
2026 TCAGO Competition in Organ Performance
April 18, 10AM-Noon? - the annual 2026 TCAGO Competition in Organ Performance, sponsored by the Schubert Club and TCAGO member Phil Asgian and, managed by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, takes place at the Lutheran Church of St. Philip the Deacon (17205 County Road 6) in Plymouth, MN. Free; no admission while performers are playing.
David Bednall at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas on the University of St. Thomas
April 18, Saturday at 7PM – English organist David Bednall (of Clifton and Bristol Cathedrals, England) presents a solo concert at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas on the University of St. Thomas campus in Saint Paul, MN.
Charles Sundquist at Sacred Heart Music Center
Sunday, April 19 at 3PM – resident organist Charles Sundquist will perform Romantic organ works by Mendelssohn, Bossi, Buck, Germani and Rheinberger on the historic 26-rank Felgemaker organ at Sacred Heart Music Center (201 W. 4th Street) in Duluth, MN. Admission.
Ju Young Lee at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Sigfrid Karg-Elert Workshop and Presentation
April 25, Saturday at 9:30AM – a workshop/presentation on the music of Sigfrid Karg-Elert by Southern Methodist University professor Stefan Engels, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (900 Stillwater Road) in Mahtomedi, MN. Sponsored by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. All are welcome/Free. See tomorrow.
Music of Sigfrid Karg-Elert at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
April 26, Sunday at 2:30PM – a concert devoted to the extravagantly post-romantic music of early 20th-century genius Sigfrid Karg-Elert featuring Southern Methodist University professor Stefan Engels and the 108-rank 1927 Casavant/2001 Schantz pipe organ at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (900 Stillwater Road) in Mahtomedi, MN. Co-sponsored by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. All are welcome/Free.
Richard Gray at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark
April 26, Sunday at 5PM – music director Richard Gray leads a Choral Evensong with the Choir of the Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist, featuring the 87-stop Foley-Baker pipe organ at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark (519 Oak Grove Street) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Pierre Zevort at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Greg Zelek & Matt Mehaffey at the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop
May
Barber, Prokofiev, Bloch, and Shostakovich at St.Thomas Aquinas Chapel of the University of St. Thomas
May 2, Saturday at 7PM -resident musician Jacob Benda teams up with the University of St. Thomas Festival Orchestra (Matthew George, conducting) to perform Barber’s Toccata Festiva (version for strings, trumpet and percussion) and a solo organ arrangement of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf (narrated by Michael Barone) on a program also featuring guest pianist Michael Gurt in Ernest Bloch’s Concerto Grosso No. 1 and Piano Concerto No. 1 by Dmitri Shostakovich in the St.Thomas Aquinas Chapel of the University of St. Thomas (Cleveland and Ashland) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Richard Gray at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Gregoriana at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul
May 8, Friday at 7:30PM – Gregoriana: a program highlighting a new publication of a dozen new Gregorian chant-based works by contemporary women composers, in a concert by three women performers… Kristina Rizzotto, Diane Meredith Belcher, and Melanie Ohnstad...and a women’s chant schola singing the ancient Gregorian melodies on which the new organ solos are based, featuring the 86-rank Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner/Quimby pipe organ in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (239 Selby Avenue) in Saint Paul, MN.
Kathrine Handford at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Ascension Day at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
May 14, Thursday at 7PM – celebrate Ascension Day with an Ecumenical Choral Vespers service featuring choirs of St. Thomas More and St. Paul’s Reformation Lutheran Church and the Skinner-Schantz organ at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church (60 Kent Street) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Grand Season Finale Concert with Raymond Johnston at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark
May 16, Saturday at 7:30PM – the Cathedral Choir, Choral Society and Orchestra, led by resident musician Raymond Johnston, present a Grand Season Finale Concert at the Cathedral Church of St. Mark (519 Oak Grove Street) in Minneapolis, MN. Admission.
Nils Halker at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church
May 17, Sunday at 4:30PM – resident organist Nils Halker and choir director Mark Stahura present music by Henry Purcell and Orlando Gibbons as part of an Evensong Service featuring the 27-rank 1964 Aeolian-Skinner organ at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church (901 Portland Avenue) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Charles Barland at the Church of St. Louis, King of France
Jacob Benda at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf
May 20, Wednesday at 12:30 (following noon Mass) – guest soloist Jacob Benda plays the final concert in the 2025-2026 Noontime Series featuring the 67-rank 2001 Lively-Fulcher pipe organ at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf (215 8th Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Richard Gray at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
May 31, Sunday at 10AM – resident musician Richard Gray conducts Gloria settings by Antonio Vivaldi and John Rutter, with choir, Copper Street Brass, organ and harpsichord during morning service at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church (60 Kent Street) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
June
Zach Frame at the Phipps Center
June 7, Sunday at 2PM – guest theatre organist Zach Frame (Organ Piper Pizza, Wisconsin) plays a program of Broadway, Big Bands, Beatles, and Beyond on the 16-rank 1026 Wurlitzer organ at the Phipps Center (109 Locust Street) in Hudson, WI. Admission.
Multi-Choral Celebration at Saint Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church
June 14, Sunday at 3PM – prior to their group tour abroad, in a multi-choral celebration ensembles from The Meetinghouse, St. Philip the Deacon, Shepherd of the Valley and Grace Episcopal Churches and Kantorei present the premiere performance of a new work for choirs and instruments by Tom Trenny, featuring the 51-rank Schantz pipe organ at Saint Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN. Free/donation.
