Gerre Hancock opens organ series
Gerre
Hancock, considered to be the finest improviser in the United States,
will open the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series. Hancock is organist and conductor
of the Choristers at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York City.
His recital will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, in Wiedemann Recital Hall. The Atlanta Constitution said Hancock is "one of the great masters of improvisation."
The first half of the program Hancock will perform the work of composers César Franck, Nikolaus Bruhns, Johann Sebastian Bach and Max Reger. The second half will be an improvisation on submitted themes in sonata form. A WSU School of Music faculty member will compose the themes.
Hancock serves on the faculties of the Julliard School in New York City and the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. His compositions for organ and chorus are widely performed, and his textbook "Improvising: How to Master the Art" is used by musicians throughout the country. He has recorded for Gothic Records, Decca/Argo, Koch International and Priority Records as conductor of the St. Thomas choir and as a soloist.
Other organ performances this season will be Todd Wilson, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24, and a children’s recital at 10 a.m. Oct. 25; Stefan Engels, 3 p.m. Nov. 12; Marilyn Mason, 7:30 p.m. March 13; Robert Town vespers recitals 5:30 p.m. March 28, April 4 and 11; and David Goode, 7:30 p.m. April 24.
Call 978-3233 for reserved single tickets. Prices start at $7 with discounts for the WSU community.
Organ series prices include four ticketed events and free admission to vespers recitals: $20 for the general public; $17 for WSU faculty/staff, senior citizens, students, military with ID.
