Fourth Annual Baylor Organ Conference

January 27, 1998

People who think of the organ only as a church instrument or background music for soap operas have an opportunity to hear "the King of Instruments" in all its glory as Baylor University presents its fourth annual midwinter organ conference February 1-3. Headlining the conference will be three virtuoso concert organists playing the McLane organ in Jones Concert Hall at 8:00 each evening.
Sunday evening will feature Arnaud de Beauregard from France, who will play his own transcription of the popular "Four Seasons" by Vivaldi. Works by Reger, Alain, and Guillou will also be featured. de Beauregard is one of the few European organists whose sole occupation is concert performance.
Monday evening will feature several new works, with organist Ronald Ebrecht being joined by percussionist Dr. Larry Vanlandingham and bassist Dr. Chris Buddo for the performance of a rock concerto, "Tryptych," by Russian composer Mikhailov. Ebrecht also will play several works by noted black composers, in observance of Black History Month. The program will conclude with the well-known "Suite" by Maurice Duruflé, with whom Ebrecht studied in Paris. Ebrecht is well known for championing the works of living composers and sponsors a biennial festival of contemporary music at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.
The festival will conclude with Baylor Organist-in-Residence Dr. Joyce Jones and the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, performing Jongen's "Symphonie Concertante." The Jongen is one of the most popular works for organ and orchestra. Jones has performed with many orchestras, including four appearances with the San Francisco Symphony.
All these events are free and open to the public. Other programs open to the public include a festival of 20th-century hymns at 6:00 p.m. at Seventh and James Baptist Church on Sunday. A student performance Monday at 4:00 p.m. in Roxy Grove Hall features music for organ plus another performer, including a singer, pianist, cellist and narrator, as well as organ duets. The recital Tuesday afternoon at 4:00 in Jones Concert Hall will feature virtuoso 20th-century music for organ, timpani and brass.