Organists resume lunch concert series

Very rarely are brown bag lunches encouraged at concert performances. But this school year, the American Guild of Organists will resume the lunchtime organ concert series that began in 1969.

The ongoing series presents a different organist at each of the concerts, featuring music chosen by the individual organist.

Aaron Sunstein, a doctoral student in the Organ Department of the Jacobs School of Music, performed the first concert in the series Oct. 7. He said he thought his concert had a fair turnout, and he hopes numbers will rise as the event’s publicity increases.

“I think everyone who does these concerts is doing them for fun and to gain performing experience,” Sunstein said. “Every organ is different. For example, in the auditorium, the pipe sounds are very spread out. It’s very exciting for me to be able to put together a program that can showcase that.”

David Kazimir is the IU curator for organs and carillons. He maintains the 17 pipe organs located around campus and the three carillon instruments.

“The concerts’ main goal is to showcase the skill and talent of the IU music program,” Kazimir said. “We have amazing resources here at IU, and these provide us a wonderful way to showcase both.”

The recitals are performed in the IU Auditorium on the Schantz organ, which Sunstein said is a rare resource for a university.

“It’s unusual to have a pipe organ of that size in an auditorium,” Sunstein said. “It’s a very old space, and there’s been an organ in there since it was built. Usually, it is only used for concerts and graduations, so this is a fun way to utilize it.”

Sunstein said he wanted to participate in the concerts because they could provide him with a priceless learning experience.

Sophomore Katie Minion said she has been playing the organ for almost 10 years and is excited to perform in front of an audience.

“I really love performing and embrace every opportunity I get to play,” Minion said. “I haven’t (had) a chance to play anything in the auditorium yet, though, so I thought this would be a good chance to get to know the organ over there.”

Minion said she decided to play a variety of pieces in her performance, and she said she even included a few classics.

“Pretty much every organ concert has to have a piece by Bach in it,” Minion said.
The next performance features Minion and Elaine Sonnenberg and will be at noon Nov. 11 in the IU Auditorium. Performances are free and patrons are encouraged to bring lunch.