Spreckels Organ Society, a non-profit organization curating concerts and performances in the heart of Balboa Park, announces its 35th annual San Diego International Summer Organ Festival line-up. The Spreckels Organ Society brings these special 90-minute concerts to the Pavilion for free on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m., starting June 26 through Sept. 4.
From a Brass Octet and Organ to a Not-So-Silent Movie Night; from a Renaissance Stereophonic Stravaganza inspired by St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice to the greatest hits of Classic Rock performed by the high-energy Pavilion Rock Band, there is something for every music lover. It’s all here! The Society is proud to present an explosion of styles, sounds, colors, and cultures in the heart of Balboa Park!
“With such a large variety, our focus is on serving the community,” said Raúl Prieto Ramirez, San Diego Civic Organist and Artistic Director for the Spreckels Organ Society. “Nowhere else can a family take their kids to gain exposure to the purest of art forms, broaden their musical awareness, expand their musical joy, learn about new repertoires, and hear new and old styles far from mainstream.”
The Society is also proud to present the first Festival Featured Guest Composer, Korean-born Texu Kim. Texu’s compositional work combines the rich cultural heritage of South Korea with the most advanced musical languages and techniques from our time. He manages to merge those elements in an exciting and approachable way for a wide audience. Two of his musical compositions will be featured during this 2023 festival: Pahdo – written in 2018 – will be performed by the San Diego Civic Organist during his July 10 concert, and Mir (miɾɯ) – a new commissioned work for this festival – will be premiered during the August 14 concert by a Brass Octet and Organ. Those attending the August 14 concert will be the first ever to experience this new music composition. “It’s music that never existed before, so don´t miss out!” said Ramirez.
2023 Summer Schedule:
Monday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free admission; open to the public
Young Artist Concert with James Kealey, first prize of the AGO National Young Artists Competition 2022.
Monday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free admission; open to the public
A Patriotic Salute: American Song Book and Patriotic Marches with Organist Robert York.
Monday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free admission; open to the public
Ravel´s Bolero on the Spreckels Organ with Raúl Prieto Ramírez, Artistic Director & San Diego Civic Organist.
Monday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free admission; open to the public
Bizet’s Carmen Suite & other Opera Overtures with Peter Richard Conte, organist at the largest Musical Instrument in the World.
Monday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free admission; open to the public
Bach’s Musical Universe with Nicole Simental, first prize Sursa & Moscow International Organ Competitions.
Monday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free admission; open to the public
Dancing under the Stars: Music on dances with Organist Emma Whitten and soprano Maria Miller.
Monday, Aug. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free admission; open to the public
Music in Movies: “Stars Wars,” “Interstellar,” “Frozen,” “Jurassic Park” with Martin Ellis and some surprises as well.
Monday, Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free admission; open to the public
Brass and Organ Stereophonic Stravaganza: Eight Brass Musicians from San Diego Symphony will join Raúl Prieto Ramírez, Artistic Director & San Diego Civic Organist, on a unique stereophonic sound experience inspired by The Great Renaissance tradition from Venice.
Raúl Prieto Ramírez, organ
Kyle Covington, trombone
Darby Hinshaw, French horn
Jonah Levy, trumpet
Aaron McCalla, tuba
Kyle Mendiguchia, trombone
Ray Nowak, trumpet
Tricia Skye, French horn
Christopher Smith, trumpet
Jaebon Hwang, organ (when Ramírez conducts the orchestra)
Monday, Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free admission; open to the public
From Nôtre-Dame Cathedral in Paris with Johann Vexo, Nôtre-Dame Cathedral organist.
Monday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
**Silent Movie Night**
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free admission; open to the public
Not-so-Silent Movie Night: Harold Lloyd’s “The Freshman” with renown accompanist Clark Wilson
Monday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Free admission; open to the public
Labor Day Classic Rock Concert. The largest open-air musical instrument in the world, joined by six of the most talented local rock musicians, taking on a Tina Turner Tribute, plus some of the best rock classics by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Blondie, Pink Floyd and more.
Richard “Tbone” Larson, drums
Harley Magsino, bass guitar
Ben Zinn, guitar
Chloe Lou, vocals
Lauren Leigh, vocals
William Fleming, vocals/trombone
Raúl Prieto Ramírez, organ
In addition to the special summer performances, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion also hosts weekly concerts each Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Through the generosity of the City of San Diego, the weekly Spreckels Organ Society concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion are presented at no charge in accordance with the 1915 Deed of Gift whereby the brothers John and Adolph Spreckels gave the organ and pavilion to the City of San Diego. Donations are always accepted.
Set in the beautiful backdrop of Balboa Park’s open-air venue at 2125 Pan American Road, performances bring a one-of-a-kind experience for guests. The elevated music venue brings world-class musical artists for San Diegans and visitors to enjoy, for free, on the largest outdoor musical instrument in the world!
For more information about the Spreckels Organ Society, visit www.SpreckelsOrgan.org.
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