Spreckels Organ Society, a nonprofit organization curating concerts and performances in the heart of Balboa Park, announced this week its 36th annual San Diego International Summer Organ Festival — the largest organ festival in the U.S.
Beginning June 17 through Sept. 2., the Spreckels Organ Society will host these special 90-minute concerts for free on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Highlights include Jeff Thayer, San Diego Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster, performing for the first time in the Festival with San Diego Civic Organist Raul Prieto Ramirez; a Jazz & Organ Quintet from Montreal for Jazz lovers; the Spreckels Organ performing with a 32-member symphony orchestra; a not-so-Silent Movie Night; a Labor Day Classic Rock concert with the 7-member Pavilion Rock Band; and international acclaimed organists and competition winners.
“There is truly something for every music lover,” said Raúl Prieto Ramirez, San Diego Civic organist and artistic director for the Spreckels Organ Society. “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 Prieto Ramirez. “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.”
In addition to the special summer performances, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion also hosts weekly concerts every 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 the full Festival program, visit spreckelsorgan.org/summer-organ-festival. For more information about the Spreckels Organ Society, visit www.SpreckelsOrgan.org.