Music school uses weekend to dedicate, commemorate new world-renowned organ

The Jacobs School of Music spent the final weekend of the semester celebrating the building and dedication of the school’s Maidee H. and Jackson A. Seward Organ.

The instrument, built by C.B. Fisk, Inc., is currently housed in Auer Hall where three identical recitals took place.

The first gala concert Friday was broadcast live by the Department of Recording Arts, while the third concert on Sunday was broadcast by WFIU. The radio show was introduced by Michael Barone, host of the syndicated radio program “Pipedreams.”

Recitalists for each concert included professor Janette Fishell, chair of the school’s organ department; professor Christopher Young; visiting associate professor Jeffrey Smith; Jacobs Dean Emeritus Charles Webb and Chancellor’s Professor Emerita Marilyn Keiser.
Each concert, while free, was sold out.

The instrument will be played by the 45 students in the school’s organ department. The organ was dedicated to Maidee H. and Seward after their donation to the school.

— Margaret Ely