Events
Upcoming organ events in and around Minnesota
(See also: Michael’s Appearances)
Related link: Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
To print a small part of the calendar, highlight the text with your mouse, copy it (CTRL-C), and paste it (CTRL-V) into a document created in your own word-processing program.
Our Sunday morning MPR broadcasts of PIPEDREAMS are made possible by Members and Friends of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists with information online at TCAGO.org.
We are excited to provide information on vibrant musical happenings in Minnesota and beyond. The organ is featured in each event listed. Some of these may be streamed, too, and others may be offered exclusively online.
Here’s what is on the calendar in coming days and weeks. Many events were tentatively “go” at the time of posting, but specific information may change. Though we will attempt to keep the information on this page current, please consult the individual venues for any last-minute changes and to confirm accuracy.
August
Samuel Libra at Trinity Lutheran Church
August 19, Tuesday at 12:15PM – guest soloist Samuel Libra (Minneapolis, MN) plays the eleventh in a series of summer noontime concerts on the Reuter-Wicks-Walker hybrid organ at Trinity Lutheran Church (222 Sixth Street SW) in Rochester, MN. Free/donation.
Carolyn Diamond at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf
August 23, Saturday at 7:00PM – local soloist Carolyn Diamond plays a concert with music following the theme “Sounds of Joy”. Come for a festive event which will fill your spirits with joy! From Classical to Jazz, this genre-blending program will include music by Copland (complete with tympani and gong!), Bach, Alain, Hovhaness, Karg-Elert, Pachelbel, Utterback, Sadoh, and Mulet as the versatility of the pipe organ is displayed, featuring the 67-rank 2001 Lively-Fulcher instrument at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf (215 South 8th Street) in downtown Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Thomas Hamilton at Trinity Lutheran Church
August 26, Tuesday at 12:15PM – guest soloist Thomas Hamilton (Duluth, MN) plays the last in a series of summer noontime concerts on the Reuter-Wicks-Walker hybrid organ at Trinity Lutheran Church (222 Sixth Street SW) in Rochester, MN. Free/donation.
September
Marco den Toom at Dordt University
Charles Sundquist & Velda Graham Bell at Sacred Heart Music Center
September 7, Sunday at 3PM - resident organist Charles Sundquist leads a performance of Requiem for the Living by Dan Forrest featuring choir, chamber orchestra, and organist Velda Graham Bell playng the historic 26-rank Felgemaker organ at Sacred Heart Music Center (201 W. 4th Street) in Duluth, MN. The program will open with organist Rachael Kresha playing works of Howells and Duruflé. Admission.
Raymond Johnston at Cathedral of Saint Mark
September 14, Sunday at 2:30PM – resident musician Raymond Johnston presents a solo concert on the 87-stop Foley-Baker pipe organ at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark (519 Oak Grove Street) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Scandinavian Organ Concert and Hymn Sing at Messiah Lutheran Church
September 14, Sunday at 3:30PM – various local musicians collaborate for a Scandinavian Organ Concert and Hymn Sing featuring the 22-rank 1992 Holtkamp organ at Messiah Lutheran Church (2010 Elm Street North) in Fargo, ND. Free/donation.
Mengfei Xu at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf
September 17, Wednesday at 12:30 (following noon Mass) – guest soloist Mengfei Xu (Chinese native, Yale University grad student) plays the 1st concert in the 2025-2026 Noontime Series featuring the 67-rank 2001 Lively-Fulcher pipe organ at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf (215 8th Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Carrie Gronenwold at the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College
September 17, Wednesday at 7:30PM – guest soloist Carrie Gronenwold (Dordt University) plays a concert of music for organ with trumpet featuring the 65-rank Robert Sipe tracker-action pipe organ in the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, IA. Free/donation.
Lynne Davis at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas
September 28, Sunday at 3PM – renowned American recitalist Lynne Davis presents a solo concert at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas on the University of St. Thomas campus in Saint Paul, MN. (NOTE: This is followed by a 5:00PM TCAGO Investiture of offices, ‘annual meeting’ report and catered dinner.)
Gabriel Rivera Bird at St. Joseph the Workman
September 28, Sunday at 3:30 – in the first of a series of three monthly Autumn concerts, Gabriel Rivera Bird (AGO Regional Competition finalist and local high-school junior) plays a program on the 91-rank 2010 Noack pipe organ at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman (530 Main Street) in La Crosse, WI. Free/donation.
Benton Smith at the Church of Saints Anne & Joachim
September 29, Monday at 7PM – Benton Smith, Dean of the Red River Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, presents a concert program, French Masters Meet Contemporary America, featuring the organ at the Church of Saints Anne & Joachim (5202 25thStreet South) in Fargo, ND. Free/donation.
October
Greg Zelek and Alvaro Bermudez at Northrop
October 4, Saturday at 7PM – organist Greg Zelek and guitarist Alvaro Bermudez present a Parisian Jazz Night featuring the 108-rank Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ above the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop on the University of Minnesota main campus in Minneapolis. MN. Admission (UofMN students free), also live-streamed.
Richard Gray at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
October 12, Sunday at 4PM – the Church Choir, led by Richard Gray, presents an Autumn Choral Evensong featuring the Skinner-Schantz organ at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church (60 Kent Street) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Samuel Libra at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf
October 15, Wednesday at 12:30 (following noon Mass) – guest soloist Samuel Libra plays the 2nd concert in the 2025-2026 Noontime Series featuring the 67-rank 2001 Lively-Fulcher pipe organ at the Catholic Church of St. Olaf (215 8th Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
A Morning with Wayne Wold at Christ Church Lutheran
October 18, Saturday at 10AM – A Morning with Wayne Wold…TCAGO invites you to these reflections on a career in music by the noted American composer, author, teacher and improviser at Christ Church Lutheran (3420 34th Avenue South) in Minneapolis.
Wayne Wold at Christ Church Lutheran
October 19, Sunday at 3PM – composer, author (Preaching to the Choir) and improviser Wayne Wold presents a concert/Hymn-sing featuring the 29-rank Dobson pipe organ at Christ Church Lutheran (3420 34th Avenue South) in South Minneapolis, MN.
Daniel Schwandt at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman
October 26, Sunday at 3:30 – in the second of a series of three monthly Autumn concerts, Daniel Schwandt (Mount Olive Lutheran, Minneapolis) plays a program on the 91-rank 2010 Noack pipe organ at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman (530 Main Street) in La Crosse, WI. Free/donation.
Isabel Alsum and Henry Dangerfield at Hamline United Methodist Church
October 26, Sunday at 4PM – winners of the 2025 TCAGO Young Artist Competition, Isabel Alsum and Henry Dangerfield, will perform a concert featuring the -rank Casavant pipe organ at Hamline United Methodist Church in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Tricks and Treats with the Mighty Organ at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church
October 28, Tuesday at 6PM - - the 20th annual Tricks and Treats with the Mighty Organ concert with resident organist Bill Chouinard in the Sanctuary of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church (900 Stillwater Road) in Mahtomedi, MN, featuring the mighty 1927 108-rank Casavant/Schantz organ. The performance, replete with special lighting and video effects, is designed with young listeners in mind and children are invited to come in costume. Come early for pizza sold by the slice from 4:30 - 6:00 in the new adjoining Fellowship Hall gathering space. A free-will offering will be receivable both prior to and following the concert. For more information and any updates, visit www.saintandrews.org or call 651-426-3261.
November
Matthew Gender at Center for Faith and Life at Luther College
October 31, Thursday at 7:30PM – to celebrate Hallowe’en, enjoy Matthew Gender’s live organ accompaniment to spooky silent films featuring the 65-rank Robert Sipe tracker-action pipe organ in the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College in Decorah, IA. Free/donation.
All Saints Remembrance at Roseville Lutheran Church
November 2, Sunday at 3PM – an All Saints Remembrance program highlighting a performance of the Maurice Duruflé Requiem with mezzo-soprano Robin Helgen, string orchestra conducted by Bradley Ellingboe, and organist Louise Bass featuring the new Nordlie-Holtkamp instrument at Roseville Lutheran Church (1215 Roselawn Avenue West) in Roseville, MN. Free/donation.
Richard Gray at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
November 2, Sunday at 4PM – music director Richard Gray leads a performance of the Requiem of John Rutter featuring orchestra, choir, and the Skinner-Schantz organ at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church (60 Kent Street) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Aaron David Miller at Sacred Heart Music Center
November 7, Friday at 7PM – guest soloist Aaron David Miller accompanies the Buster Keaton silent-film classic The Camera Man while playing the historic 26-rank Felgemaker organ at Sacred Heart Music Center (201 W. 4th Street) in Duluth, MN. Admission.
Richard Gray at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark
November 9, Sunday at 2:30PM – guest musician Richard Gray (St. John the Evangelist Church, St. Paul) presents a solo concert on the 87-stop Foley-Baker pipe organ at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark (519 Oak Grove Street) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Pipes & Pops Series at the Phipps Center
November 9, Sunday at 2PM – guest theatre organist Dennis James returns for a Pipes & Pops Series program, including improvised accompaniment to the Charlie Chaplin favorite The Gold Rush, featuring the 16-rank 1026 Wurlitzer organ at the Phipps Center (109 Locust Street) in Hudson, WI. Admission.
Martin Schmeding at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church
November 9, Sunday at 3PM – visiting artist Martin Schmeding (from Leipzig, Germany) will play a concert on the 51-rank Schantz organ at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church (17205 County Road 6) in Plymouth, MN.
Martin Schmeding at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church
November 15, Saturday morning (9:00-noon) – a workshop with Martin Schmeding (Leipzig, Germany) at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, Plymouth, MN.
Organ Concerts Throughout the Region
November 16, Sunday 3PM – resident musician Samuel Backman presents a recital on the theme Echoes of Gregorian Chant featuring the 36-rank Hinners-Wicks-Orvold pipe organ at Holy Cross Catholic Church (1621 University Avenue NE) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Also this afternoon at 3:30 – in the last of a series of three monthly concerts, Chad Winterfeldt (Gustavus Adolphus College) plays a program on the 91-rank 2010 Noack pipe organ at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman (530 Main Street) in La Crosse, WI. Free/donation.
Also this afternoon, Sunday, November 16, Sunday at 4PM – resident organist John Helgen will be featured in a performance of the Saint-Saëns “Organ” Symphony, with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, featuring the new Nordlie-Holtkamp-Möller organ at Roseville Lutheran Church (1215 Roselawn Avenue West) in Roseville, MN. Free/donation.
December
4th Concert in St. Olaf Noontime Series (Guest TBD)
December 17, Wednesday at 12:30 (following noon Mass) – guest soloist TBD plays the 4th concert in the 2025-2026 Noontime Series featuring the 67-rank 2001 Lively-Fulcher pipe organ at the Catholic Church of St, Olaf (215 8th Avenue South) in Minneapolis, MN. Free/donation.
Greg Zelek at Northrop
December 20, Saturday at 3PM – organist Greg Zelek offers ‘Sounds of the Season’, a holiday matinee concert featuring the 108-rank Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ above the Carlson Family Stage at Northrop on the University of Minnesota main campus in Minneapolis. MN. Admission (UofMN students free), also live-streamed.
Richard Gray at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
December 21, Sunday at 4PM – music director Richard Gray leads a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with choir and the Skinner-Schantz organ at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church (60 Kent Street) in Saint Paul, MN. Free/donation.
Brass and Organ Holiday at the Phipps Center
December 22, Monday at 7PM – members of the Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble team up with organist Bill Chouniard for A Brass and Organ Holiday program featuring the 16-rank 1026 Wurlitzer organ at the Phipps Center (109 Locust Street) in Hudson, WI. Admission.
