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38th San Diego International Summer

Free Admission

Organ Festival at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park

Every Monday Night July 13 - Sept 7 | 7:30 pm

Summer 2026 1

ENJOY $25 O FF YO U R N E X T V ISIT Experience the bold, exotic flavors of the Pacific Rim with unparalleled views of San Diego Harbor. And, now through September 7, 2026, we’ll take $25 off your check when you Experience bring in thisthe ad.*bold, exotic flavors of the Pacific Rim with unparalleled views of San Diego Harbor. And, now through September 7, 2026, we’ll take $25 off your check when you bring in this ad.*

ENJOY $25 O FF YO U R N E X T V ISIT

Celebrating the Lynn Reaser Naming Gift

If you are interested in contributing to the Lynn Reaser Artistic Director Endowment, please contact SOS President Kathleen Stoughton at president@spreckelsorgan.org

It is with deep gratitude that the Spreckels Organ Society is thrilled to celebrate a seed naming gift for an endowment that will support a substantial portion of the Artistic Director’s position in perpetuity. The endowment was made possible through the generosity of the nationally renowned economist Dr. Lynn Reaser. Reaser, who held several important positions in the finance world, was also a beloved Economics Professor for many years at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. “From my first encounter with Lynn Reaser upon my arrival in 2018,” says San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez, “I was captivated by her professionalism and elegance. She played a crucial role in helping the Society make sound financial decisions, including endowment management, and obtaining sponsorships and grants that have made SOS programs and operations more sustainable.” Extroverted and down-to-earth, she also loved to volunteer as a greeter and at the SOS gift shop on Sunday afternoon and Monday night concerts. With her passing in 2024, she will be remembered forever for her love of the Spreckels Organ and her wisdom and leadership as a trustee of the Spreckels Organ Society.

Kathleen Stoughton, President Spreckels Organ Society

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Table of Contents Lynn Reaser Naming Gift........................................................................... 04 Renovation Underway............................................................................... 07 Letter From President of Spreckels Organ Society ........................................ 08 Letter From Lynn Reaser Artistic Director/San Diego Civic Organist ................ 09 Spreckels Organ Society ........................................................................... 10 Education at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion................................................... 16 Become a Member................................................................................... 18 Become a Volunteer/Volunteer of the Year................................................... 19 July 13— Alcée Chriss III...................................................................... 24 July 20—Isabelle Demers.................................................................. 26 July 27—Thomas Gaynor..................................................................... 28 August 3—Organ Four Hands & Four Feet, Sunkyung Noh & Grant Smith...... 30 August 10—David Higgs..................................................................... 32 August 17—An Organ & Orchestra Celebration!..................................... 34 2026 Student Scholarship Awards ............................................................. 37 August 24—Piano & Organ with MusArt-Barcelona................................ 38 August 31—Not-So-Silent Movie Night With Clark Wilson....................... 40 September 7—The Labor Day Classic Rock Band........................................ 42

Festival Volunteers and Professional Service Providers.................................. 45 ORGAN-ISM Upcoming Rock Concerts....................................................... 46 Special Sundays & Evening Concerts .......................................................... 47 Spreckels Organ Pavilion History................................................................ 48 The Spreckels Organ Pavilion Stop List........................................................ 49 2027 Season: Music in Nature....................................................................50

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6 38th San Diego International Summer Organ Festival at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park

Spreckels Organ Society In collaboration with the City of San Diego

Renovation Underway The Spreckels Organ Society, in collaboration with the City of San Diego, is undertaking the first comprehensive renovation of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion’s 2,400 square foot space on the first and second floors. Built in 1914 in only seven months for the Panama-California Exposition of 1915, the utilitarian Pavilion interiors have never been fully realized. We are excited to share this important project that will preserve and enhance a national historic landmark for our community, with the new interiors expected to be completed in early 2027.

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A Letter From

Kathleen Stoughton President of Spreckels Organ Society

Dear Friends, On behalf of the Spreckels Organ Society, I welcome you with great enthusiasm to our 38th annual San Diego International Summer Organ Festival—the largest festival of its kind in the United States. I am very excited about this year’s Festival, which features acclaimed musicians from around the world, including New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, Colombia, Spain, and the United States, and promises to be a remarkable season to celebrate! With your generous help, SOS has made tremendous progress over the past year. Private donations and attendance have soared, and we have received significant income from grants, including a major grant from the Conrad Prebys Foundation to purchase a state-of-the-art surround-sound system for the Pavilion. Grants from the State of California, the San Diego Foundation, the County of San Diego District 4, and the Hervey Family Fund have enabled SOS to initiate a much-needed major renovation of the Organ Pavilion’s 2,500-square-foot interior, which is being funded entirely by philanthropy. In addition, SOS launched an innovative education program in 2025 and achieved overall audience attendance of more than 20,000 at the 2025 International Summer Organ Festival, including over 3,000 attendees at Orchestra Night and more than 4,500 at the Pavilion Rock Band’s Beatles Tribute Concert. The Spreckels Organ Society has great untapped potential for the future. Please help us increase the momentum in 2026 while honoring the vision of Spreckels Organ Society founders Vivian and Oberlin Evenson, whose establishment of the Spreckels Organ Society in 1988 laid the foundation for all that we have accomplished. Best regards, Kathleen Stoughton, President Spreckels Organ Society

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A Letter From

Raúl Prieto Ramírez Lynn Reaser Artistic Director and San Diego Civic Organist

Welcome to the 38th San Diego International Organ Festival in Balboa Park. Each year it is an honor to present a new version of the largest organ festival in the United States, with the widest variety of musical styles: classics such as Bach and Mozart, a full rock band, a silent movie, and organ with full orchestra, among many others. This is a festival designed for you—for San Diego—that allows you to enjoy a wide variety of musical styles, in an environment like no other in the world. Where else can you enjoy the work of international artists of the highest caliber, free of charge, displaying their talent on the largest outdoor musical instrument in the world beneath a starry night in the largest urban park in the United States, a national historic landmark? We all know the answer: only in San Diego! The Spreckels Organ Society, with the generous support of donors and members committed to our city and to the arts, with the dedication of our volunteers, and with the enthusiasm of a faithful and welcoming public, will keep working to ensure that our beloved festival stirs the hearts of future generations as it does today’s audiences. With this festival, the Spreckels Organ Society makes an important contribution to the quality of life of our city while promoting two parts of our heritage that help make San Diego a unique and popular place for tourism: Balboa Park and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. San Diego boasts numerous places of national and international importance. The quality of life in our city, as well as our international standing, depend on our capacity to support them, make them accessible, and promote them. The Spreckels Organ Society makes a contribution by providing our community with these accessible and free-of-charge concerts with international artists of the highest caliber, while filling the festival programming with varied musical styles and amazing works. I invite you to sit under the stars, retreat from the world for a bit, and be transported by the music. Warmest wishes, Raúl Prieto Ramírez Spreckels Organ Society Lynn Reaser Artistic Director San Diego Civic Organist 9

Address

Lynn Reaser Artistic Director

1549 El Prado Suite 10 San Diego, CA

Raúl Prieto Ramírez

92101-1661

Executive Director

(619) 702-8138

Magdalena O’Neill

Info@spreckelsorgan.org SpreckelsOrgan.org Mission The Spreckels Organ Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1988 to preserve, program and promote the Spreckels Organ as a world treasure for all people.

Executive Committee President – Kathleen Stoughton Vice President – Tom Hay Bauer Secretary – Jean Samuels Treasurer – Charlotte Carroll Executive Director – Magdalena O’Neill Lynn Reaser Artistic Director – Raúl Prieto Ramírez

Curator – Dale Sorenson Curator Emeritus – Lyle Blackinton Other Trustees Bill Devor Dwight Gordon Joyce Kelly Isaac Muñoz Dang Nguyen Gary Press Committee Chairs Executive Committee – Kathleen Stoughton Nominating – Bill Devor Development – Kathleen Stoughton Investment – Gary Press Budget and Finance – Charlotte Carroll Operations – Tom Hay Bauer Education – Isaac Muñoz Personnel – Kathleen Stoughton

Join Us! With community support, the Spreckels Organ Society is making tremendous progress. We have secured significant income from donations and grants, launched innovative educational programs for youth and adults, initiated a major renovation of the Organ Pavilion’s interior, and achieved outstanding attendance of over 20,000 at the 2025 Summer Organ Festival, and hundreds each week at the 52 Sunday concerts presented throughout the year. Your support is vital to our continued growth. Please help us maintain this momentum in 2026 and beyond while honoring the vision of founders Vivian and Oberlin Evenson, whose establishment of the Spreckels Organ Society in 1988 laid the foundation for all that we have accomplished. Please donate today to support world-class concerts and transformative educational programs at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, ensuring they remain free and accessible for all! Here are three of the most popular ways to support our mission: By Mail Mail your contribution to: Spreckels Organ Society 1549 El Prado Ste 10 San Diego, CA 92101

Online Visit the donation portal found on our website: spreckelsorgan.org

Donor-Advised Funds Recommend a grant from your DAF to the Spreckels Organ Society

Email us at info@spreckelsorgan.org if you are interested in supporting us in other ways! Thank you for allowing us to continue preserving, programming, and promoting the Spreckels Organ!

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Who? What? Why? Who We Are Spreckels Organ Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1988 with the mission to preserve, program, and promote the Spreckels Organ as a world treasure for all people. Organ concerts are open to the public at no charge in accordance with the 1915 deed of gift whereby the brothers John D. and Adolf Spreckels gave the Spreckels Organ and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion to the City of San Diego. The Spreckels Organ Society works cooperatively with the City of San Diego in order to fulfill and expand upon this promise of live music for all. What We Do The City of San Diego provides 52 Sunday organ concerts a year, and maintains the instrument and the Civic Organist position with the support of the Spreckels Organ Society. We present the largest organ festival in the United States, along with educational programs for children and scholarships for

young organ students. We also present special holiday concerts and events and offer tours of the interior of the Organ. We have collaborated with the San Diego Opera, San Diego Youth Symphony, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, and the Scripps Ranch High School Full Orchestra, among many others. Why We Do It We believe in the transformative power of music, and we want to ensure that the Spreckels Organ will continue to offer everyone the chance to experience it. Where else can a family take children to hear live music without having to worry about the cost of tickets? We are advocates for the Spreckels Organ, striving to provide access to a wide range of music for another 111 years and beyond. What We Need Never charging for concerts, we rely on donations to present our events. You can keep the music playing by donating, becoming a member, or volunteering. For more information, see the volunteers at the membership table. If you are already a donor, member, or volunteer, thank you very much!

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Your Donations Support Our Mission Spreckels Organ Society, in accordance with the 1915 Deed of Gift, does not have an income stream from ticket sales, thus relying solely on its endowments, memberships and donations to provide the artistic programs the community enjoys. Our endowment funds exist to achieve specific goals, which guarantee the operation of the institution, the best quality of programming, and the preservation of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.

Lynn Reaser Artistic Director Endowment Designated for salary and benefits support for the Artistic Director INITIAL DONATION GROWTH GOAL

Nichols Summer Festival Bequest Designated for the sole benefit of the Summer Organ Festival INITIAL DONATION GROWTH

We rely on your help to keep the gift of music alive! If you would like to know more about how your support can make a difference, please don’t hesitate to contact our SOS President at: President@spreckelsorgan.org Evenson Endowment Designated for funding the Civic Organist Artistic Director position and the maintenance of the Spreckels Organ INITIAL DONATION GR OWTH GOA L

GOAL

SOS Operations Endowment Designated for the ongoing financial support of the operations of the Spreckels Organ Society INITIAL DONATION GROWTH GOAL

Jared Jacobsen Education Fund Designated for education programs and student scholarships INITIAL DONATION GROWTH GOAL

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14 38th San Diego International Summer Organ Festival at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park

SOME THINGS CAN’T BE STREAMED. THEY HAVE TO BE EXPERIENCED. CLASSICAL • CHAMBER MUSIC • JAZZ • FAMILY CONCERTS HOLIDAY • FILM • AND MORE

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

Education Lynn Reaser Artistic Director and Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez, with the support of the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department and the Spreckels Organ Society, presents a series of Sunday concerts designed primarily for children and families in the community.

Little Big Guests is a program that has offered over 1,000 students their first unforgettable experience performing on the Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage—including the San Diego Youth Symphony, the Scripps Ranch High School Orchestra, the Concert Bands of Southwestern, Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, the Concert Bands of CSU San Marcos, Point Loma Nazarene University, SDSU and USD, the inaugural national Youth Choral Festival with the San Diego Children’s Choir, the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet and the Suzuki School of Music, among others.

Family Discovery Days is a program that offers kids and families the opportunity to discover dance and musical instruments performed by professional musicians.

SOS STEAM Educational Program The Spreckels Organ Society, with the support of the Art Pratt Foundation of Old Mission Rotary, has acquired two Orgelkids pipe organ kits for our education program. This unique, hands-on kit empowers children to build fully-functional organs in groups and will be instrumental in expanding our educational initiatives. Each kit includes instructions and a curriculum useful to facilitate active learning. Combined, this hands-on experience teaches valuable STEAM skills while inspiring a lifelong love of music and culture.

Additionally, the kit is easily transportable and reusable, allowing thousands of kids to bring the “King of Instruments” to life, sparking curiosity and setting them on a path to careers in music, technical design, and historic preservation. Hundreds of students will engage with this kit throughout the years. The overall goal of the SOS Education Program is to provide high-quality, accessible music exposure programs for San Diego youth of all ages, fostering creative expression, confidence, and academic success. Spreckels Organ Society partners with numerous organizations in and beyond San Diego to bring engaging musical experiences to children. We are proud to serve over 10,000 children annually across our education programs and are working to expand the program by focusing even more on underserved or Title I school groups from the area, increasing their participation by Fall 2026.

If you would like to help a school connect with our education team, please contact us at: INFO@SPRECKELSORGAN.ORG or call at 619-702-8138

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Become a MEMBER At the Spreckels Organ Society, music plays a profoundly meaningful role in our lives, helping us connect with a larger community. If music matters to you, the Spreckels Organ Society is a place to share that passion. We welcome everyone who values music and wants to be part of a like-minded community. Join us and become a part of our musical family of members and volunteers! Become a member of the Spreckels Organ Society for as little as $35. Your membership gives you access to our online concerts. Higher membership levels include additional benefits, such as concert meet-and-greets and exclusive experiences with the San Diego Civic Organist. J. S. BACH CIRCLE ($1,000 and above) J. S. Bach Circle offers a variety of annual experiences with the San Diego Civic Organist, focusing on topics such as musical matters, performance practice, history, art, and more.

Members stay connected to the programs and news of our organization.

Members highlight the community support for our mission, especially during times when funds for the arts are scarce.

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Your membership donations, both large and small, help us maintain the foundations of SOS’s efficient operation.

Volunteering is an opportunity to connect with the community and share your passion for music!

Available volunteer positions include: • Audience Ambassador • Membership Ambassador • Production Assistant • Audio/Video/Lighting Technician • Photographer

For more information, please visit our membership table, our website, or email us at volunteer@spreckelsorgan.org. You can also call the Spreckels Organ Society at 619-702-8138.

We’d like to thank our SOCIETY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Aska Enomoto Aska Enomoto is not only one of our youngest volunteers but also one of the very few who have played the Spreckels Organ for a live audience. A student of Leslie Wolf Robb, she has studied the organ for nine years. Aska has been a recipient of the American Guild of Organists and Spreckels Organ Society scholarships since 2016, which has earned her the right to perform at special Sunday concerts with other scholarship winners. She also enjoys her role as an Audience Ambassador, welcoming music lovers at our East Gate on many Sundays and during our Monday night International Summer Organ Festival concerts. Aska is a high school sophomore, active in many extracurricular activities, and maintains excellent grades. The Spreckels Organ Society is grateful for Aska’s many contributions and takes great comfort in knowing that another generation of organists stands ready to play the pipes.

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Contributors To THE SPRECKELS ORGAN SOCIETY $500,000-$999,000 State of California $50,000-$99,999 Prebys Foundation Hervey Family Fund Lynn Reeser Artistic Director Endowment Vivian and Oberlin Evenson Endowment Fund Kathleen Stoughton and Jeffrey Hillman* $25,000-$49,999 City of San Diego Cultural Affairs Warren M. Nichols Summer Organ Festival Bequest Thomas Hay Bauer* $10,000-$24,999 Richard Forsyth and Kate Leonard Jared Jacobsen Education Fund Robert Kilian Jean Samuels $5,000-$9,999 Elster Foundation Larry and Susan Favrot and the Favrot Fund Samuel I. and John Henry Fox Foundation Nicole Acuff Lyle Blackinton Joseph deRamus Gayle and Dwight Gordon Jean Nagy Connie and Peter Van Putten $1,000-$4,999 City Council Member Stephen Whitburn Larry J. Kohmescher Charitable Fund Thearle-Trepte Fund at the San Diego Foundation Ryan Family Charitable Foundation Qualcomm

Isaac and Monica Muñoz Eric Bergstedt Caterpillar Foundation Daryl Svensson Stewart Abelson Elaine Baldwin and Carl Nelson Marla Bell Bob and Liz Breen George Butterfield William Devor Mr. Edward and Dr. Eveline Eng Michelle Green Carter Hanson Laura Luzi May Fong McLean Michael O’Brien Cynthia Obadia Alan Pitcairn Keith Record Jim Sander David Leigh Shearer David Stout Jay and Cathie Wegrzyn Dorothy Wood Anonymous $500-$999 Spreckels Organ Society Endowment Fund at the San Diego Foundation Duplicate Bridge Group of Casa de las Campanas Martha Bacon Pauline and Daniel Condrick Ann De Fields Steve Dixon Connie Eitzen Sharon Elise Ian Hanson Karl and Greet Hostetler June and William Krantz Dr. Arv and Nicole Sours Larson Harold and Beverly Martyn

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Eileen Mason New Blood Interactive Owen and Marie Elizalde Peck Leslie Wolf Robb Summer and Ted Sherer John and Rita Sudman Paula Taylor Don Thompson Thomas Warschauer Barry Weiss $250-$499 David Bevilaqua and Craig Caldwell Christine Brown Kelly Calkins Tanya Chen David Coup Darrell Deneen John Eckels Neil Finn Beverly Flemming Frank Gaertner Russell Ginns Ellen Gross Deborah Guerrette Elaine Herring Larry Holt David K. Jordan James Luxon Joanne Marugg Cindy McIntyre Christine Murphy Daryl Paige Herbert and Manli Radisch Mary Roberts Karen Rokos Philip Sangiorgio Michael Schaefer Kathy Schneider Kenneth Spindler Martha Thum Gary and Marjorie Toops Burton and Pauline Vasché Nathan and Evette Weiss Linda Willingham

Contributors To THE SPRECKELS ORGAN SOCIETY Jonathan Gomes

Michael Rihner

Walter Goodwin

Anna Robertson

Sonya Googins

Sylvia Rohrl

Marck Gorszwick

Scott and Linda Roleson

Norma Griffin

Manuel Rosales

Linda Groeling

Irina Rosca

Sarah Grotelueschen

Nanette Sable

Dorene Harlow

Donald Schlacht

Fletcher James

Tracy Shaw

Patricia and John Johnson

Frederick Simson

Thomas Karam

Richard Spengel

JoNette Kuhnau

Timothy Srock

Tracey Laine

Theodore Struck

Joel Levin

Keith Sweetnam

Mark LoPresti

Nancy Telford

Nicolette Loth

Roberta Thyfault

Alison Luedecke

Miles Dale Townsend

Susan Mackensen

Martha Ugalde

Betty Joan Maly

Gretchen Vik

Caroline Manfroi

Lee Wahlert

Steve and Dianne Cowen

Laura Marquez

Johnny Watson

Joann and Frank Crawford

Bernard and Lorraine Marstall

Diane Wells

David and Patricia Martell

Roland Wilhelmy

$100-$249 Loose Threads Quilting Group Kristopher Abels Patrick Ahern Mark Ainslie Kelly Anderson Lee Anke Barbara and Henry Arrighi Kirby Baker James Banks Delores Bauman Alex Benestelli Thomas Benge Kenneth Boddy Nicholas Burke Johnny and Cherilyn Charfauros Ted Childers William and Deirdre Colburn

Joanna Curcio Dara Jane and Peter Daggett Alaina Dall Alan Davis Alan DesRoches Elizabeth Downie Joanna Dullum Jane Eguez James Ertner Constance Etheridge Keith Fink Louis Galper Mark and Michelle Gargulak Kevin Gazley Ellen Kaye Gehrke Wilma George Margaret Girdzius

Robert and Barbara McBride Randy and Jane McClintick Claudia Mitchell Mary Mizer Sherri Molina Barbara Morton Gregory Nemeth Sylvia Nielsen Barbara Parker Joséf Peer Kathleen Pietrasanta Richard Plaisance Sandra and David Polster Rebecca Priest Jim Rawlins Bob Reese

Robert Wennerholt Douglas Wilson Richard Wilson Chris Witte Chi Yau Susan Young *In-kind gift Our sincere gratitude to all our donors, members, and volunteers whose contributions help us preserve the magnificent Spreckels Organ for the future and ensure that world-class music remains accessible to all. This list is current as of May 31, 2026.

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San Diego Floral Association Celebrating Balboa Park and Music in Nature with the Spreckels Organ Society San Diego Floral Association California Garden Magazine

SanDiegoFloral.org

Providing music education to 40,000+ students each year. Support Music Education! Join us at the Classics 4 Kids Annual Gala October 4, 2026 • Maderas Golf Club Scan for Info

The San Diego Chapter of the American Guild of Organists was founded in 1920 as an educational non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to provide learning opportunities to those interested in learning more about the organ. We offer workshops, concerts, and study grants for private instruction. For more information www.agosd.org

classics4kids.org

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MO N DAY

J ULY 1 3 | 7 : 3 0 PM

Alcée Chriss III Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Toccata in D Minor, BWV 913 (trans. Alcée Chriss III) I. Presto II. Thema Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) Entrée de Polymnie from Les Boréades César Franck (1822-1890) Symphony in D Minor, M. 48 (trans. Calvin Hampton / Alcée Chriss III) II. Allegretto Jean Guillou (1930-2019) Toccata, Op. 9 Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Mazeppa, Symphonic Poem No. 6, S. 100 (trans. Alcée Chriss III / Rashaan Allwood) III. Allegro Alcée Chriss (b. 1992) Improvisation on American Folk Tunes Gaston Litaize (1909-1991) Scherzo Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) Suite for Organ, Op. 5 I. Prélude II. Sicilienne III. Toccata Today’s concert is generously sponsored by: Tom Hay Bauer Jean Samuels, in memory of her mother, Shirley Samuels Ann De Fields, in memory of Ron De Fields EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT: Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc. www.concertorganists.com RECORDINGS: ATMA Classique Audio and video recordings of this performance in any capacity without prior consent are strictly prohibited.

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Alcée Chriss III

A featured star in the PBS documentary Pipe Dreams (2019), Alcée Chriss III is an organist and keyboardist from Fort Worth, TX. Winner of the 2017 Canadian International Organ Competition and Firmin Swinnen Silver Medalist at the 2016 Longwood Gardens International Organ Competition, he is widely regarded as one of the leading young organists of our time. Dr. Chriss has performed throughout the United States, Canada, and France. Recent and upcoming performances include the International Orgelsommer (Stuttgart, Germany), Stockholm City Hall (Sweden), Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall in Philadelphia, Washington National Cathedral, John F. Kennedy Center, the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, the Francis Winspear Centre for Music in Edmonton, and performances as concerto soloist in Copland’s Symphony for Organ and Orchestra with the Montreal Symphony, among others. In October 2019, Alcée was awarded his Doctor of Music degree from McGill University, where he studied with Hans-Ola Ericsson. He previously studied at Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he received his Master’s degree in historical keyboard and a Bachelor’s degree in Organ Performance. At Oberlin, he studied organ with James David Christie and Olivier Latry, improvisation with Marie-Louise Langlais, and harpsichord and continuo playing with Webb Wiggins and Hank Knox. In July 2019, Dr. Chriss was appointed University Organist and Artist-in-Residence at Wesleyan University, where he teaches courses in organ and applied music. Dr. Chriss is also active as a church musician and guest lecturer, and he remains engaged with his lifelong love of gospel and jazz music. He is currently Assistant Organist at Trinity Church Wall Street, New York City, and serves on the editorial board of Vox Humana magazine. 38th San Diego International Summer Organ Festival at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park 25

MO N DAY

J ULY 2 0 | 7 : 3 0 PM

Isabelle Demers Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 547 J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Schule des Triospiels (arr. Max Reger) Invention #1 in C Major Invention #7 in E Minor Invention #4 in D Minor Invention #8 in F Major Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Symphony No. 5, Op. 107 (trans. Isabelle Demers) I. Allegro Vivace II. Andante III. Andante con moto – Allegro Vivace – Allegro Maestoso Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888) Impromptu sur le Choral de Luther, Op. 69 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Fantasia in F Minor, K. 608 Gustav Holst (1874-1934) The Planets, Op. 32 (trans. Isabelle Demers) IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity

Today’s concert is generously sponsored by: Robert Kilian Isaac and Monica Muñoz Gayle and Dwight Gordon Audio and video recordings of this performance in any capacity without prior consent are strictly prohibited.

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Isabelle Demers

Isabelle Demers’s recital for the 2010 International Society of OrganbuildersAmerican Institute of Organbuilders convention “left the entire congress in an atmosphere of Demers fever” something that continues unabated over ten years later. Possessing “bracing virtuosity” (Chicago Classical Review), she has enraptured listeners worldwide with spell-binding performances. Ms. Demers is in continual high demand and held in exceedingly high esteem by her fellow colleagues, as witnessed by repeat performances for regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists (Minneapolis, 2008; Washington D.C., 2010; Hartford, 2013; Austin, 2013; Indianapolis, 2015; Houston, 2016; Seattle, 2022; Phoenix 2025), the joint convention of the American Institute of Organ Builders

and International Society of Organbuilders (Montréal, 2010), the Royal Canadian College of Organists (Toronto, 2009; Kingston, Ontario, 2016; Guelph/Kitchener 2025), the Organ Historical Society (Vermont, 2013; Minnesota, 2017; Milwaukee 2025), and the Association of Anglican Musicians (Minnesota, 2024). She is also a highly sought-after juror for the major international organ competitions around the world. Her acclaimed recordings on the Acis and Pro Organo labels have been heralded as “expressive…profound and searching” (RSCM’s Church Music Quarterly). Born in Québec and a graduate of The Juilliard School, Dr. Demers is Associate Professor of Organ at McGill University in Montréal, Québec.

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MO N DAY

J ULY 27 | 7 : 3 0 PM

Thomas Gaynor Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) Festive Overture, Op. 96 (trans. Thomas Gaynor) Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) Sicilienne from Pelléas & Mélisande (trans. Thomas Ospital) John Williams (b. 1932) Raiders March from Indiana Jones (trans. Thomas Gaynor) Alan Menken (b. 1949) Medley from Aladdin (trans. Thomas Gaynor) Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Vocalise (trans. Thomas Gaynor) Richard Wagner (1813-1883) Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin (trans. Westbrook) Alfred Hollins (1865-1942) Scherzo Edwin H. Lemare (1865-1934) Concertstück in the form of a Polonaise, Op. 80 Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) The Carnival of the Animals (trans. Thomas Gaynor) V. The Elephant VI. Kangaroos VII. Aquarium X. Aviary XII. Fossils XIII. Swan XIV. Finale Johannes Pachelbel (1653-1706) Chaconne in F Minor, T. 206 Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937) Symphony for Organ No. 6, Op. 42 No. 2 I. Allegro Today’s concert is generously sponsored by: Joseph deRamus Richard Forsyth and Kate Leonard Audio and video recordings of this performance in any capacity without prior consent are strictly prohibited.

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Thomas Gaynor

Thomas Gaynor is a concert organist, church musician, and educator based in Philadelphia. He is currently Assistant Organist and Choirmaster at Saint Mark’s Church, Locust Street. He was an assistant organist at the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ in Macy’s until its recent closure, and he regularly performs at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, homes of the two largest pipe organs in the world. He maintains a lively studio as an adjunct instructor of organ at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. Recital engagements have taken him to six continents, performing in such venues as Notre Dame de Paris, Sydney Town Hall, Catedral Primada de Colombia in Bogotá, Tokyo-Musashino Civic Cultural Hall, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. A native of Wellington, New Zealand, Thomas earned his undergraduate degree from the New Zealand School of Music, while holding organ scholarships at the Wellington Anglican Cathedral of St. Paul as well as St. Mary of the Angels Roman Catholic Church. He graduated from David Higgs’s studio at the Eastman School of Music with a DMA and the school’s highest honor, the Artist’s Certificate. Competition wins include the Fort Wayne National Organ Playing Competition in 2014, the Sydney International Organ Competition in 2015, The Bach-Liszt Internationaler Orgelwettbewerb Erfurt/Weimar in 2015, then in 2017 Thomas was presented with the Gold Medal and Audience Prize at the St. Albans International Organ Competition.

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MO N DAY

AU GUST 3 | 7 : 3 0 PM

Organ Four Hands & Four Feet Sunkyung Noh & Grant Smith Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) Mother Goose Suite, M. 60 (Duo) V. The Fairy Garden Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) The Carnival of the Animals (Duo) I. Introduction and Royal March of the Lion III. Wild Donkeys (Swift Animals) V. The Elephant VI. Kangaroos VII. Aquarium XIII. Swan XIV. Finale Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Fantasia in G Major, BWV 572 (Smith) Leo Sowerby (1895-1968) Carillon (Noh) Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Suite No. 2, Op. 17 (Duo) IV. Tarantella Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656) A Ground, MB 40 (Noh) Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877-1933) 7 Pastels from the Lake of Constance, Op. 96 No. 7 (Smith) VII. Hymn to the Stars Louis Vierne (1870-1937) Organ Symphony No. 6, Op. 59 (Noh) V. Finale Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Hungarian Dances, WoO 1 (Duo) I. Allegro Molto VII. Allegretto V. Allegro - Vivace - Allegro Today’s concert is generously sponsored by: Family of Bill Nagy Audio and video recordings of this performance in any capacity without prior consent are strictly prohibited.

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Sunkyung Noh Sunkyung Noh is a South Korean concert organist. She studied with Dong-ill Shin at Yonsei University and earned two master’s degrees in Organ and Claviorganum under Wolfgang Zerer and Menno van Delft in Hamburg, Germany. She pursued advanced studies in Leipzig with Martin Schmeding. Noh has garnered recognition both in Korea and internationally. In 2022, she won second prize at the International Schnitger Organ Competition in the Netherlands, and later that year, she won first prize at the 6th International Buxtehude Organ Competition in Lübeck, Germany. In January 2023, she became the first Asian winner of the prestigious International Mendelssohn Competition, earning both the First Prize and the Contemporary Work Interpretation Award. In July 2023, she also received First Prize and the Gold Medal in Interpretation at the 32nd St Albans International Organ Competition. She performs actively across Europe, Asia, and the United States, appearing in renowned venues such as the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, King’s College in Cambridge, Church of the Advent in Boston, and St. Bavokerk in Haarlem. She has also performed with orchestras at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. In 2026, she will release her debut solo album and tour internationally.

Grant Smith Grant Smith is an award-winning concert organist from Fresno, California. His performing career has taken him to major venues around the world, including in the US, Ireland, England, Germany, South Korea, and Japan. Smith was awarded Second Prize in Interpretation at the St. Albans International Organ Competition in London in July 2025. Previous competition successes include Third Prize in the 2024 Leipzig Bach Competition, First Prize in the 2023 Hall Organ Competition in Texas, and First Prize in the 2022 Feith Competition in Germany. He is a recent graduate of Rice University in Houston, where he studied with Ken Cowan for a master’s degree in organ performance. While in Houston, Smith held organist positions at Christ Presbyterian Church, West University Baptist Church, First Lutheran Church, and the Houston Masterworks Chorus. He accompanied the West University Baptist Church Choir on an eight-concert tour of Ireland in July 2024. Smith graduated with two bachelor’s degrees in music and civil engineering from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where he won the school’s Concerto Competition twice in both piano and organ. In Summer 2023, he studied historical Baroque performance in Leipzig, Germany.

In memory of Bill Nagy 1938-2026

The Spreckels Organ Pavilion is at the center of Balboa Park and holds fond memories for our family. This is a great way to celebrate Bill and to support our San Diego Heritage. Balboa Park is a true jewel to both the city of San Diego and all visitors who have marveled at its glory throughout the years. 38th San Diego International Summer Organ Festival at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park 31

MO N DAY

AU GUST 1 0 | 7 : 3 0 PM

David Higgs Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, BWV 543 David Conte (b.1955) Soliloquy Johann Gottfried Müthel (1728-1788) Fantasia in G Minor George Shearing (1919-2011) Two Hymn Preludes There is a Happy Land I Love Thee, my Lord Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 65 I. Allegro moderato e serioso II. Adagio III. Andante recitativo IV. Allegro assai vivace Stephen Kennedy (b. 1962) Toccata Saint-Sulpice Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937) Organ Symphony No. 3, Op. 13 No. 3 II. Minuetto III. Marcia Franz Liszt (1811-1886) Prelude and Fugue on B.A.C.H, S. 260/2

Today’s concert is generously sponsored by: Robert Kilian Mr. Edward and Dr. Eveline Eng EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT: Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc. www.concertorganists.com RECORDINGS: Gothic, Loft, Pro Organo, Arsis, and Delos International recordings. Audio and video recordings of this performance in any capacity without prior consent are strictly prohibited.

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David Higgs

One of America’s leading concert organists, David Higgs is the Minehan Family Professor of Organ and Chair of the Organ Department at the Eastman School of Music. He performs extensively throughout the United States and abroad and has inaugurated many important new instruments including Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas, St. Albans Cathedral, England, Church of St. Ignatius Loyola New York City, and Christ Church Cathedral Cincinnati. For over twenty years he performed annual holiday organ concerts to capacity audiences at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. He has performed with Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Orpheus Ensemble, Chanticleer, and the Empire Brass. Mr. Higgs appears at organ festivals and competitions around the world, including the Stockholm Organspace Festival, Sweden; Fribourg International Organ Festival, Switzerland; in Germany, the European Organ Academy Leipzig, the Leipzig Bach Competition, Gottfried Silbermann Competition Freiberg, and Bremen Musikfest; festivals of Calgary, Dublin, Odense, Varzi, Redlands and San Anselmo, California; and the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival. In England, at the Oundle International Festival, the St. Albans International Festival, and the Cambridge Summer Festival; in France, the Xavier Darasse International Competition in Toulouse; and Japan at several venues, most recently an all-Bach recital at Izumi Hall in Osaka. He often performs at conventions of the American Guild of Organists, and in 2010, performed the inaugural St. Cecilia Recital at a national convention. In 2018 he performed concerts in France, including a solo recital at Notre-Dame Cathedral Paris, and as guest teacher at the Paris Conservatoire. Mr. Higgs is a distinguished pedagogue. He was appointed to the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music upon graduation from that institution, and has been a member of the faculty of the Eastman School of Music since 1992. His students have won prizes in prestigious international competitions, and hold important positions in leading academic and religious institutions. Mr. Higgs has recorded for Delos International, Pro Organo, Arsis, Loft, and Gothic records.

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MO N DAY

AU GUST 1 7 | 7 : 3 0 PM

An Organ & Orchestra Celebration! Raúl Prieto Ramírez, organ Alejandro Gómez Guillén, conductor Jeff Thayer, concertmaster Horatio William Parker (1863-1919) Concerto for Organ and Orchestra, Op. 55 I. Allegro moderato II. Allegretto, ma ben moderato III. Allegro moderato, molto resoluto Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Organ Concerto in F Major, Hob. XVIII No. 7 I. Moderato II. Adagio III. Allegro Leon Boëllman (1862-1897) Dialogue Fantasia for Organ and orchestra, Op. 35 Alexandre Guilman (1837-1911) Symphonie No. 1 for Organ and Orchestra Op. 42 I. Introduction (Largo e maestoso) et Allegro II. Pastorale. Andante quasi allegretto III. Final. Allegro assai

Today’s concert is generously sponsored by: Larry and Susan Favrot and the Favrot Fund Tom Hay Bauer Robert Kilian Elaine Baldwin and Carl Nelson Mr. Edward and Dr. Eveline Eng Audio and video recordings of this performance in any capacity without prior consent are strictly prohibited.

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Alejandro Gómez Guillén Conductor and violinist Alejandro Gómez Guillén is known for an energetic and thoughtful approach to music-making, with a focus on performances that are compelling and educational. He has appeared with orchestras across the United States and abroad, among them Phoenix Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, Virginia Symphony, Illinois Symphony, New Mexico Philharmonic, and Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá. He has also performed at the Oregon Bach Festival and collaborated with conductors such as Robert Spano, Tito Muñoz, and Ankush Kumar Bahl. Alejandro previously served as Assistant Conductor of Omaha Symphony, where he participated in the premiere of Andy Akiho’s Grammy-nominated Sculptures. He was also Artistic Director of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, conducting the Indiana premiere of Florence Price’s Symphony No. 4. As Associate Conductor of Fort Worth Symphony, he led community, pops, and educational performances and collaborated with artists including Time for Three and mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte. He is also Music Director of Sphere, a Colorado-based string

collective known for adventurous programming across genres and eras, including a recent recording featuring music by Grammynominated composer Carter Pann. He currently serves as Director of Orchestras at Arizona State University, where he leads one of the nation’s largest collegiate orchestral programs and directs a dynamic performance program for emerging artists. Recent performances there include the Arizona collegiate premiere of William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony.

Symphony Orchestra, associate concertmaster of the North Carolina Symphony and concertmaster of the Canton (OH) Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Thayer was also formerly on the violin faculty of the Music Academy of the West where he also served as concertmaster for 13 years. He is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Eastman School of Music and The Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division. His teachers include Zvi Zeitlin, Donald Weilerstein, Dorothy DeLay and William Preucil.

Born in Colombia and a proud U.S. citizen, Gómez Guillén studied violin and conducting at Texas Christian University and the University of Colorado Boulder. Away from the podium, he enjoys trail running, singing, and sharing music with family and friends. @alejandromusick

A native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Mr. Thayer began violin lessons with his mother at the age of three. Festivals include Interlochen, the Pierre Monteux Festival, Astoria Music Festival, the National Orchestral Institute, the National Youth Symphony, the Grand Teton Music Festival, Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, La Jolla SummerFest, Mainly Mozart Festival (San Diego), Festival der Zukunft and the Tibor Varga Festival (Switzerland).

Jeff Thayer Violinist Jeff Thayer holds the Deborah Pate and John Forrest Concertmaster Chair of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Thayer is also a founding member of the Camera Lucida chamber music ensemble, formerly in residence at UCSD’s Conrad Prebys Music Center. Previous positions include assistant concertmaster of the Atlanta

Raúl Prieto Ramírez See Page 39 for bio. Raúl Prieto Ramírez is represented in North America exclusively by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, LLC www.concertartists.com

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San Diego International Summer Organ Festival Orchestra Members Jeff Thayer, concertmaster Violin Jisun Yang Jesus Cervantes Yumi Cho Sarah Cranor Andrew Kwon Margeaux Maloney Julie Pautz Evan Pasternak Sarah Schwartz Pei-Chun Tsai Tiffany Wee Angela Xing Cherry Yeung Viola Linda Piatt Angela Choong Robyn Glasson Travis Maril Ethan Pernela Annabelle Terbetski Cello Andrew Hayhurst Vivian Chang Max Gurath Peter Ko Ben Solomonow Bass Susan Wulff PJ Cinque Sam Hager

Flute Pam Martchev Johanna Borenstein Oboe Andrea Overturf Rodion Belousov Clarinet Frank Renk Mark Shannon Bassoon Ryan Simmons Leyla Zamora Horn Ben Jaber John Degnan Tricia Skye Doug Hall Trumpet John Wilds Matt Fitzimmons Trombone Eric Starr Gregory Ochotorena Kyle Mendiguchia Tuba Aaron McCalla

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Harp Elena Mashkovtseva Timpani David Whitman Percussion Gregory Cohen Contractor Healy Henderson

Scholarship Awards 2026

with the American Guild of Organists San Diego Chapter

Novice Division WINNER

Intermediate Division WINNER

Advanced Division WINNER

Misaki Enomoto is 9 years old and recently completed 4th grade at Curie Elementary in San Diego. She has been studying the organ with Leslie Wolf Robb for the past year and a half. In addition to music, Misaki dances at San Diego Civic Dance Arts and performed in their dance production this spring at Casa del Prado in Balboa Park. Misaki enjoys knitting and sewing in her free time. She particularly likes mending clothes and pants with holes, giving them a new life through her creativity and craftsmanship. Misaki is the 2026 Spreckels Organ Society Novice Division Scholarship recipient.

Elle Lester is 15 years old and is a 10th grade student at Mt. Everest Academy. Elle has studied piano with Leslie Wolf Robb for eight years and the organ for six. She is an avid reader and writer, and her favorite class is the bio-medical science course offered at her school. Elle is passionate about genetics and biochemistry, and is pursuing summer genomics research with Dr. Kristopher Irizarry at Western University. Elle is also a paralegal intern at Wenthur Law Group. Elle enjoys competing in dressage on her horse, Desmond, and exploring San Diego by biking or paddleboarding. Elle is the 2026 Spreckels Organ Society Intermediate Division Scholarship recipient.

Aska Enomoto is 16 years old and just finished her sophomore year at The Bishop’s School. She has studied organ for nine years with Leslie Wolf Robb. Aska has been a recipient of the AGO and Spreckels scholarships since 2016. She has been the gold medal winner for the Southern California Junior Bach Festival Complete Works Auditions for two years, receiving the Sylvia Shorey Barton Memorial Scholarship twice. Aska loves volunteering at the Spreckels Organ Society, especially during the Spreckels Summer Organ Concert Series. She likes playing field hockey, and is also highly involved in her school’s Model United Nations team. Her hobbies include travel and reading. Aska enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Photo credit: Bob Lang

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MO N DAY

AU GUST 24 | 7 : 3 0 PM

MusArt-Barcelona M. Teresa Sierra, piano & Raúl Prieto Ramírez, organ A Journey from Intimacy to Beethoven’s “Emperor” Charles Marie Widor (1844-1937) 6 Duos, Op. 6 V. Sérénade VI. Variations Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)* Concertino for Two Pianos in A Minor, Op.94 (trans. Raúl Prieto Ramírez) Charles Marie Widor (1844-1937) 6 Duos, Op. 6 II. Allegro cantabile Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994)* Variations on a Theme by Paganini (arr. Raúl Prieto Ramírez) Theme – Allegro capriccioso Variation I Variation II – Meno moso Variation III Variation IV Variation V Variation VI – Poco lento Variation VII – Allegro molto Variation VIII Variation IX Variation X Variation XI – Più mosso Variation XII – Ancora più mosso Coda - Ancora più mosso Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)* Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 “Emperor” I. Allegro II. Adagio un poco mosso III. Rondo: Allegro *Transcribed by Raúl Prieto Ramírez

Today’s concert is generously sponsored by: Jerry Ryan, in memory of Anne Evenson Ryan, Joseph de Ramus, Robert Kilian, Gayle and Dwight Gordon, Elaine Baldwin and Carl Nelson, Dr. Arv and Nicole Sours Larson, Stewart Abelson, Mr. Edward and Dr. Eveline Eng Audio and video recordings of this performance in any capacity without prior consent are strictly prohibited.

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MusArt MusArt-Barcelona is a piano–organ ensemble distinguished for its unique artistic profile and its commitment to expanding the expressive possibilities of this rare and powerful instrumental combination. MusArt have performed extensively throughout Europe, Russia and the United States. Their programs feature original repertoire for piano and organ alongside their own transcriptions and commissions of new works. This is their third appearance at the Balboa Park Spreckels Organ Pavilion since 2018. MusArt-Barcelona is represented in North America exclusively by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, LLC.

Maria Teresa Sierra Maria Teresa Sierra is a pianist from Barcelona who began studying music at age three with her mother. Trained in the traditions of the Russian Piano School, she developed a strong artistic voice and perfect pitch, which she now fosters in her students. By 21, she had earned three graduate degrees with highest honors in Piano Performance, Chamber Music, and Music Theory, followed by a Master’s in Music Education from the University of Barcelona. Her mentors include Leonid Sintsev (Saint Petersburg Conservatory) and Oxana Yablonskaya (The Juilliard School). An award-winning performer, she has appeared across Europe, Russia, and the United States, and recorded a critically acclaimed album with her husband, organist Raul Prieto Ramírez, at the Palau de la Música Catalana. Alongside performing, she is a dedicated teacher. After founding a successful studio in Indiana, she relocated to San Diego in 2018 and later to San Marcos in 2025. Her studio has been recognized among the Top 10 in San Diego by Expertise (2021), Top Pro by Piano Company (2024), and Top Piano Teaching by Distinguished Teaching (2024).

Raúl Prieto Ramírez Artistic Director and San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez is a concert artist with a busy schedule that takes him to major festivals and concert halls around the world. He is regularly featured in master classes by institutions including Indiana University in Bloomington, Eastman School of Music in Rochester, Rice University in Houston, Moscow Conservatory in Russia, McGill University in Montréal and Graz University in Austria. He also serves on the jury at international organ competitions such as Moscow International and Longwood Gardens International. His performances have been described by critics as “sizzling,” iconoclastic,” “impeccable” and “transcendent.” His previous positions included artistic direction for the Spanish National Orchestra and Choir in Madrid, the Barcelona International Organ Festival and Academy, and the Sursa-American Organ Competition, among others. A former student of Ludger Lohmann and Leonid Sintsev, Mr. Ramírez’s last two CDs with Brilliant Classics were recorded at the Milan Cathedral and Barcelona’s historic “Palau de la Musica.” Raul resides in San Marcos with his daughter and wife, who has an awardwinning piano studio (www.mariateresastudio.com).

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MO N DAY

AU GUST 3 1 | 7 : 3 0 PM

Not-So-Silent Movie Night with Clark Wilson, organist

Organ Solos to Bid Farewell to the Sun and Welcome the Night Sky -FILMS“The Immigrant” (1917) Starring and directed by Charlie Chaplin “Sherlock, Jr.” (1924) Starring and directed by Buster Keaton Today’s concert is generously sponsored by: Connie and Peter Van Putten, in memory of Aunt Leona Johnson, who loved movie night. Elaine Baldwin and Carl Nelson Rita and John Sudman Eric Bergstedt Audio and video recordings of this performance in any capacity without prior consent are strictly prohibited.

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Clark Wilson

Clark Wilson is one of the most sought after silent film accompanists in America today. His work has included scoring for DVD release for Kino International, accompanying the repremier of “Wings” for Paramount Pictures’ 100th anniversary at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and numerous appearances at Cinecon, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and other film festivals. He appears every Halloween night with a classic horror film at Disney Concert Hall in LA, and scores films on various organ series including at The Riverside Church in

New York, Balboa Park in San Diego, and the East Texas Pipe Organ Festival. Wilson has been Resident Organist at the Ohio Theatre for the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts since 1992, and he has introduced and taught classes on film scoring as a visiting professor at two universities. When not performing, he administrates his own pipe organ business based out of Ohio. He has been recognized by the American Theatre Organ Society as both Organist of the Year and Technician of Merit, the first of only two people ever to receive both awards.

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MO N DAY

S E P T E M BE R 7 | 7 : 3 0 PM

The Labor Day Classic Rock Concert ORGAN-ISM, The Organ Pavilion Rock Band The Doors Light My Fire Roadhouse Blues Break on Through (To the Other Side) Jefferson Airplane White Rabbit Somebody to Love Led Zeppelin Communication Breakdown Heartbreaker Immigrant Song Aretha Franklin Baby I Love You Respect Deep Purple Hush Mandrake Root Burn Dire Straits Brothers in Arms Walk of Life Tunnel of Love Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Tina Turner River Deep – Mountain High Proud Mary Van Halen Right Now Jump Today’s concert is generously sponsored by: Mr. Edward and Dr. Eveline Eng Audio and video recordings of this performance in any capacity without prior consent are strictly prohibited.

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Ben Zinn

Chloe Lou

Guitar

Vocals

Harley Magsino

Lauren Leigh

Richard “T-Bone” Larson

Raúl Prieto Ramírez

Bass Guitar

Drums

Vocals

Organ

William Fleming

Vocals and Trombone

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We’d Like To Thank Our Festival Volunteers and Service Providers Operations Team The San Diego International Summer Organ Festival is possible thanks to the kind support of the Operations Team and Festival Volunteer Crew.

Professional Service Providers Additional thanks to the professional service providers we work with every year to make The San Diego International Summer Organ Festival the success it is.

Audience Ambassadors: Aska Enomoto Bob Kilian Bobbie Thyfault Casey Konop Dave Stout Elle Lester Joanna Dullum Joyce Kelly Kami and Noah Dingley Kathryn Bunch Marshie Ly Qian Li

Bookkeeping - Jennifer Cooluris IT Services - TechCore Consulting Public Relations - Bloom Public Relations Grants Writer - Holly Lang Graphic Designer - Stephanie Norbeck Live Sound and Lighting - Dave Wave Live Projection - Sonder Eyes Printing - Custom Printing

Stage Manager: Tom Hay Bauer Production: Dave Bryant Dennis R. Fox Isaac Muñoz Patricia Murray Photographers: Bob Lang Dwight Gordon Eric Bergstedt Membership Ambassadors: Bill Devor Jean Samuels Jeffrey Druck Linda Arvay Serena Meadows-Graves SDSU Student Interns: Eden Shay Kyalo Mwendwa Maximus Quirino

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ORGAN-ISM THE ORGA N PAVILIO N ’ S RO C K BAN D

“ORGAN-ISM” is the exclusive rock band of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and the only rock band in the world that performs with a real pipe organ: the Spreckels Organ, the largest open-air musical instrument in the world! Led by San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez, ORGAN-ISM features some of the most energetic and award-winning rock musicians in the region with Richard “T-Bone” Larson (drums), Harley Magsino (bass guitar), Ben Zinn (guitars), Chloe Lou (vocals), Lauren Leigh (vocals), William Fleming (vocals and trombone). According to Ramírez, “I understood the need for this project from day one of my tenure as San Diego Civic Organist. Challenges have been numerous and tricky from the start: the search for a unique sound supported by high quality equipment on a stage constantly washed out by the huge frequency range of a concert pipe organ has probably been the hardest; to find an efficient cost effective way to deliver supportive light shows on an empty stage that is part of a National Historic Site is another; finding a group of top-notch musicians who can understand the unique character of the project and be in total support of it wasn’t easy either. I’m thrilled to announce that all those challenges are now history. This band is an absolute blast and an immense pleasure to play with. Together with them and supported by our operations team I look forward to bringing unforgettable shows for our community.”

Monday, September 7, 7:30PM The Labor Day Classic Rock Concert! The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Dire Straits, Deep Purple and more. Sunday, September 20, 2PM All-Beatles Celebration Concert Raúl Prieto Ramírez and a reduced version of “ORGAN-ISM” with lead vocalist Lauren Leigh and drummer Richard “T-Bone” Larson, will be joined by the Stellarum Chamber Choir conducted by Seonjeong Park for an exciting tribute to the legendary music of the Beatles. Friday, October 30, 7PM Bark At The Moon! A Halloween tribute to OZZY OSBOURNE, the Prince of Darkness. Featuring spooky projections on the Pavilion. Friday, December 4 ORGAN-ISM at December Nights Stay tuned for the 2026 December Nights Schedule to catch ORGAN-ISM at a fun show with rock arrangements of holiday carols.

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UPCOMING CONCERTS SPECIAL SU NDAY 2PM CONCERTS & E V E N IN G CON C E RTS

Every Sunday, 2PM A relaxed and fun way to enjoy one of San Diego´s most iconic venues. Join us for one-hour performances, all year round, rain or shine. Save the date for these special performances! All concerts are open to the public and free of charge. Sunday, October 11, 2PM Opera4Kids – The Enchanted Tail Featuring Victoria Robertson and Bernardo Bermúdez of Opera4Kids.

Sunday, November 15, 2PM Veterans Day Sousa Palooza! Lynn Reaser Artistic Director/Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez performs a tribute to U.S. war veterans featuring music by John Philip Sousa. Sunday, November 29, 2PM Selections from The Nutcracker Raúl Prieto Ramírez is joined by the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet for highlights from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Sunday, December 6, 2PM Holiday Sing-Along & Family Day Seasonal organ solos by Raúl Prieto Ramírez followed by the annual Sing-Along led by Lauren Leigh. Families are invited to participate in “Build a Pipe Organ,” a handson educational activity.

Saturday, October 24, 7PM Halloween Spooktacular Raúl Prieto Ramírez presents thrilling organ solos and a concert version of The Phantom of the Opera with soprano Caroline Nelms and tenor Cole Tornberg, in collaboration with Thriller San Diego. Sunday, November 1, 2PM Opera4Kids – The Bear and the Pear Tree With Victoria Robertson and Bernardo Bermúdez of Opera4Kids.

Friday, January 1, 2PM Happy 112th Birthday, Spreckels Organ! Celebrate the anniversary of the historic Spreckels Organ with a festive concert performed by Mark Herman. After the performance, the audience is invited to visit the organ chambers.

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Spreckels Organ Pavilion History History A renowned San Diego icon and National Historic Site, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion was constructed for the 1915 PanamaCalifornia Exposition. This extraordinary gift was made by brothers John D. and Adolf B. Spreckels to the people of San Diego who welcomed the Organ’s first performance on December 31, 1914, with more than 30,000 people in attendance. The Spreckels Organ has since entertained and engaged millions of guests from around the world who have enjoyed Sunday afternoon and holiday concerts as well as an International Summer Organ Festival, the largest of its kind in the United States. Today, the Spreckels Organ, with its 5098 pipes, has the distinction of being the largest open-air musical instrument in the world. In 1988, the nonprofit Spreckels Organ Society was formed “to preserve, program, and promote the Spreckels Organ as a world treasure for all people.” In accordance with the 1915 Deed of Gift, all concerts at the Pavilion are free and open to the public. The Spreckels Organ Society works cooperatively with the City of San Diego to fulfill this promise. Together they support San Diego’s internationally acclaimed Civic Organist and the Organ Curator, an expert in maintaining the Organ.

Civic Organists 1915-1932 – Dr. Humphrey J. Stewart 1933-1954 – Royal Brown 1954-1957 – Charles Shatto 1957-1978 – Douglas Duncan 1978-1984 – Jared Jacobsen 1984-2000 – Robert Plimpton 2001-2016 – Dr. Carol Williams 2018-Present – Raúl Prieto Ramírez Curators 1914 – Installer – Edward Crome 1914-1915 – Anton Rokos 1915-1932 – Roy W. Tolchard 1932-1947 – E. A. Spencer 1947-1974 – Leonard Dowling 1974-2014 – Lyle W. Blackinton 2015-Present – Dale Sorenson

Spreckels Pipe Organ at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park World’s Largest Outdoor Musical Instrument San Diego’s Historic Musical Voice

2014 | The organ is maintained by L.W. Blackinton and Associates, Inc | Lyle Blackinton, Curator 1974-2014 | Dale Sorenson, Curator 2015-

The Spreckels Organ Society presents its 2027 season:

Music in Nature In collaboration with the San Diego Floral Association, among others, The Spreckels Organ Society will present a series of concerts—Sunday 2pm, Summer Festival and special evening concerts as well—to highlight the unique and exuberant natural environment of Balboa Park. The season aims to blur the line between musical beauty and natural beauty as an invitation for the community to come to Balboa Park, to enjoy its music at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and visit its numerous gardens as the seasons progress. Come witness a dance between music and nature to the tune of the seasons!

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Zoo full (inside back cover, right view), should have 3/11

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