Thirty Minutes of Exceptional Organ Music

Plan now to take a refreshing musical break on six Thursday afternoons at five o’clock.

Westminster Organ Summer returns for its 14th season beginning June 13. Enjoy the free 30-minute concerts in the cool, calm space of Westminster’s sanctuary. The concerts are friendly for all ages and informal, so come as you are.

Organ Summer offers the community a unique chance to hear a delightful variety of organ music during the Upper St. Clair Farmers’ Market in the church’s south parking lot. It’s a winning combination of great music and fresh food.

All the organists reflect the greater Pittsburgh area’s long tradition of nurturing and celebrating outstanding organists. Three are new to the series and three returning, including Westminster’s own Jim Burns and Pittsburgh native Jacob Gruss, student of Paul Jacobs at the Juilliard School.

The six programs feature an appealing range of sacred and secular music. And somewhat surprising, the organ itself sounds different from concert to concert as each organist reveals the beauty of the magnificent Austin organ in a distinctive and memorable way.

Of course, the organ is not only a solo instrument. We hear in worship how well it complements the human voice, from a single singer to the congregation. The opening concert will show the magic of voice and organ with mezzo-soprano Ruthann Eckersberg, who served a long tenure in Westminster’s Chancel Choir as alto section leader and soloist.

Organ Summer is a musical outreach to the community sponsored by the Music & Arts Series of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the generosity of the performers. All organists donate their time and talent. A freewill offering defrays their expenses. Checks are welcome, made payable to Westminster Presbyterian Church, with Music & Arts/Organ Summer on the memo line. Contribute online using the donate button below.

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