Recitals To Headline Organ Week At Baylor University

by Richard Veit

June 13-18 might be titled "Organ Week at Baylor University," as 20 young pianists and organists from California to North Carolina arrive to begin a "Pipe Organ Encounter" -- a week of intensive study and classes, as they learn to play "The King of Instruments" while using the many pipe organs at Baylor and in Waco area churches.
Dr. Joyce Jones, Baylor's organist-in-residence, will perform works by Widor, Bach, Boulnois, Dupré, Sowerby, and Van Hulse during an organ recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 14, in the Powell Chapel at Truett Seminary on the Baylor campus. Jones, who received the Texas Music Teachers Association award for outstanding college teaching in 2003, will play this same program at Washington National Cathedral on June 27, for the opening event of the national Baptist Church Music Conference.
Joel Bacon, who just completed his doctorate in music in Vienna, will return to his alma mater to perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, in Roxy Grove Hall. Bacons served as organist at Lakewood Christian Church for seven years while earning three degrees from Baylor. For the past several years he has been based in Europe, where he received the artist's diploma with distinction from the Viennese Conservatory. His performances have received great acclaim, including being lauded as one of the outstanding young concert organists of this generation.
The original silent movie "Phantom of the Opera" will be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, and June 23, in Roxy Grove Hall, with organ accompaniment played by Stephen Morris. This is the fourth time that Morris has returned to play the improvised background music for the movie.
The week closes with a recital by Pipe Organ Encounter students at 1 p.m. Friday, June 18, in the Powell Chapel at Truett Seminary.
All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Baylor University School of Music at (254) 710-3991.