'Spooky' Organ Music Carries On Popular Halloween Tradition

by Richard Veit

The Baylor Organ Department will present its 11th annual Halloween Organ Recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in Roxy Grove Hall.
The costumed performers will play "ghostly" organ music, including the ever-familiar Toccata and Fugue in D minor by Bach, tongue-in-cheek selections by P.D.Q. Bach and the thrilling Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner.
The program also will include Fantomes by Vierne -- complete with a program which tells a story -- as well as the Southwestern premiere of a new piece, Phantasm, by California composer Jim Simonton.
Dr. Joyce Jones, The Joyce Oliver Bowden Professor of Music and Organist-in-Residence, said the Halloween Organ Recital is one of the most popular "lighter" programs of the School of Music.
"The organ is usually thought of as an instrument for church with more serious compositions," Jones said, "so this is our opportunity to just have a fun evening. We also wanted to provide a safe place for people to bring their children on Halloween."
Audience members are invited to attend in costume. The 7:30 starting time also will allow plenty of time for other Halloween activities that night.
The Halloween Organ Recital is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Baylor School of Music at 710-3991.