Digital Program for Greg Zelek & Preston Duncan in Concert at Northrop May 6, 2025

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Duration: Approximately 85 minutes with no intermission, followed by a 20-minute Q&A with Greg Zelek and Preston Duncan.

The Program

Tango-Étude No. 3

Astor Piazzolla

Lyric Pieces, Book 10, Op.71, No. 1, Once Upon a Time

Edvard Grieg

Fantasia

John Weaver

Hommage à Manuel de Falla

Béla Kovács

Gabriel’s Oboe

Ennio Morricone

Traditional Chinese Melody, Horse Racing (arr. Lingbo Ma)

Performed by the Gopher Graduate Saxophone Quartet:

Zeyi Tian, soprano saxophone
Zhiwei Feng, alto saxophone
Cheng Wang, tenor saxophone
Zijian Zhang, baritone saxophone

Oblivion

Astor Piazzolla

Prelude No. 1

George Gershwin

I Got Rhythm (arr. Greg Zelek)

George Gershwin

Misty

Erroll Garner

“Little” Fugue in G minor, BWV 578

J.S. Bach

Fantaisie sur un Thème Original

Jules Demersseman

Performed by:

Preston Duncan, alto saxophone
Gopher Graduate Saxophone Quartet
Greg Zelek, organ

Greg Zelek

Praised as “extraordinary in the classical music world” (Jon Hornbacher, PBS Wisconsin Life) and a “musical star” (Bill Wineke, Channel 3000), Greg Zelek was appointed Northrop Organist in Aug 2024. The Pipes & Reeds performance with Preston Duncan is a celebration of the culmination of his first season in the role. For the 2025–26 Northrop Music Series, Zelek has arranged three unconventional organ pairings for a joyful trilogy of concerts featuring Northrop’s historic pipe organ: Parisian Jazz Night: Featuring Guitarist Alvaro Bermudez & Northrop Organist Greg Zelek; Sounds of the Season: Relaxed Matinee With Organist Greg Zelek; and An Evening of Organ & Choir: Featuring University Singers and Northrop Organist Greg Zelek.

Additionally, Zelek is the principal organist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Curator of the Overture Concert Organ. In this role, Zelek performs and oversees all of the MSO’s organ programming. The MSO Organ Series regularly attracts more than 1,000 ticketed audience members for each of his creatively curated and performed concerts. Since Sep 2017, he has proudly held the Elaine and Nicholas Mischler Curatorship. In addition to his unique position in Madison, WI, Zelek is the curator of the Organ Series for the Jacksonville Symphony.

Zelek performs frequently as a soloist throughout the United States. Always playing his solo programs from memory, he has played and premiered many of the large works of the organ canon, as well as new works that showcase the versatility of the instrument. Select performances for the 2024–25 season include concerts at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in San Diego, CA, and Jacoby Symphony Hall in Jacksonville, FL, and performances and masterclasses at the Oregon Bach Festival.

Alongside various orchestras, Zelek has performed the organ concertos of Barber, Poulenc, and Rheinberger. In Sep 2024, he performed Jongen’s Symphonie Concertante with the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Zelek has also been the organist for works such as Mahler’s 8th Symphony, Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass, Saint-Saëns’s Organ Symphony, Strauss’s Alpine Symphony, Respighi’s Pines of Rome, Foss’s Phorion, and Gounod’s Faust.

Zelek is known for his inventive programming and collaborations. He has performed a classical and gospel concert with counter-tenor Reginald Mobley; arranged and commissioned works for cello and organ with cellist Thomas Mesa; performed in a Latin-American concert with a Cuban band from Miami, FL; and collaborated with electronic trombonist Mark Hetzler in a concert featuring new music for organ, trombone, and percussion. He has also performed with the Canadian Brass in his role as visiting guest artist at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN. The 2024–25 season programming included a concert of arias and spirituals with tenor Limmie Pulliam, a performance with the new Lyyra Ensemble, and an Empire Brass Celebration concert featuring former Empire Brass players that incorporated a newly commissioned work for the Overture Concert Organ and the ensemble.

In 2016, Zelek was chosen by The Diapason magazine as one of the top “20 Under 30” organists, and has won prizes in numerous organ competitions. He released a recording on the Overture Concert Organ in the fall of 2022. A recipient of the inaugural Kovner Fellowship, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as an artist diploma, from the Juilliard School as a student of Paul Jacobs. Zelek, who is Cuban-American and a native Spanish speaker, grew up in Miami, FL.

Preston Duncan

An internationally acclaimed performer and educator based out of Minneapolis, Preston Duncan has been hailed as “displaying his saxophone mastery” (The Indianapolis Star) with “virtuosic brilliance” (The Star Press) as a “terrific talent” (Marvin Hamlisch). He has appeared as a soloist in Paris, Berlin, Austria, Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville, Boston, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Taiwan. He has performed on over 65 occasions as a soloist with large ensembles, including The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, La Grande Orchestre des Alpes de la Mer of Nice, the Bowling Green State University Philharmonic, the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, and many others. He regularly performs as an orchestral member with the Minnesota Orchestra. He has also performed with the Indianapolis Pops, the Minnesota Pops, Rosemary Clooney, and Jeremy Denk.

Duncan was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Paris, France, where he studied with Jean-Yves Fourmeau. He has won numerous awards and prizes, including 1st prize in the MTNA National Collegiate Woodwind Competition, and was a finalist in 2014 for the prestigious McKnight Fellowship. He was the featured performer and educator at the 1st Annual Taiwanese National Saxophone Festival, the 12th Annual Encuentro Universitario Internacional de Saxofón in Mexico City, and the Sax Fest Costa Rica International Saxophone Festival.

Duncan currently teaches saxophone at the UMN. During the summer, he teaches in the faculty at Shell Lake Arts Center in Shell Lake, WI. He received his Bachelor of Saxophone Performance from Indiana University, where he was a student of Eugene Rousseau. He continued his studies at Bowling Green State University with Dr. John Sampen, where he received his Masters of Music in Saxophone Performance. In 2002, he completed an Artist Diploma at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee with Kenneth Radnofsky. He has premiered works by Bernard Rands, Ernesto Pellegrini, Joseph Dangerfield, Kenneth Fuchs, and many others. Duncan plays on Eugene Rousseau mouthpieces.

We are especially grateful for support from the UMN School of Music and the Northrop Organ Advisory Board, including the following patrons whose gifts helped make the Pipes & Reeds Concert possible: J. Michael Barone; Philip Radke; Tim and Laura Edman; Bob Bruininks and Susan Hagstrum; and Dee Ann and Kent Crossley.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Hospitality Partner Graduate Hotel Minneapolis.

The Northrop Organ Advisory Board

J. Michael Barone
Cynthia Betz
Dean Billmeyer
Kristen Brogdon
Dr. Robert Bruininks
Dee Ann Crossley
Laura Edman

Nils Halker
Cari Hatcher
Pamela Neuenfeldt
Philip Radtke
Emily Roth
Kari Schloner
Lindsey Siders
Greg Zelek

With the restoration and reinstallation of Northrop’s Aeolian-Skinner Opus 892 organ, a group of dedicated volunteers now partner with Northrop for the awareness, success, and growth of organ programming and education. The Northrop Organ Committee features volunteers who are help with advocacy, network building, relationship development, and fundraising to help sustain and build Northrop’s Pipe Organ Music Series and other community events.

The Northrop Advisory Board

Cynthia Betz
Jeff Bieganek, Chair
Kristen Brogdon
Dr. Robert Bruininks
Deb Cran
Susan DeNuccio
Benjamin Eng
Karen Hanson
Cari Hatcher
Jill Hauwiller

Holly Kellar
Kelly McQueen
Bob McMaster
Katheryn Menaged
Jim Moore
Robyne Robinson
Toni Pierce-Sands
Kari Schloner
Kao Lee Vang
Donald Williams

The Northrop Advisory Board is committed to the growth and awareness of Northrop’s mission, vision, and the continued future of presenting world-class dance and music in our community. If you would like more information about the advisory board and its work, please contact Cynthia Betz, Director of Development, at 612-626-7554 or betzx011@umn.edu.

Northrop Campus & Community Council

Linnea Fahnestock
Jillian Nelson
Emma Marlar
Anise Mazone

Carolina Maranon-Cobos
Eve Schulte
Laurel Keen
Julia Heinen

The Northrop Campus & Community Council acts as a resource for Northrop’s future success and growth, ensuring that Northrop builds relationships with and engages the communities where we live, learn, and work. This group of committed volunteers helps Northrop connect with new audiences and advises on programming that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

Northrop's Aeolian-Skinner Organ

Thank you to the generous donors who continue to support programming for Northrop’s beloved Aeolian-Skinner Organ. It is because of you that this magnificent instrument’s voice will be enjoyed by many for years to come.

Organ Supporters

Barbara Allan
Monica Allen
Ann and Ted Allison
Timothy and Suzanne Almen
Elizabeth Anderson
Janet and Dean Anderson
Terry and Vicki Anderson
Briana Baldwin
Karen Barale
J. Michael Barone
Christopher Barth
Matthew and Anna Beckler
Carol Bessler
Dean Billmeyer
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Lauren Boerboom
Dian and Timothy Boonstra
Dayne Bose
Toni Brekke
Joyce Brown
Drs. Robert Bruininks and Susan Hagstrum
Mark Carter
Carol and Loren Carver
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Scott Cragle
Dee Ann and Kent Crossley
T. John Cunningham
Tim Dockter
Anne and Timothy Droske
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Laura and Tim Edman
Edward Eiffler
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Pamela Neuenfeldt and Don Williams
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Dennis and Betty Jo Olsen
Steve Panizza
Jon Poling
Melissa Powers
Holly Radis-McCluskey and Glen McCluskey
Chris Rhea
Martin and Susan Richards
Filip Rosseel
Thomas Ryan
Andrew Thompson
Sarah Schaffer
Laura and Ron Schlatter
Barbara Shaterian
Erica Skeate
Cynthia Smith
Kumi Smith
Kathleen and Joseph Stanford
Amy Stech
Alice Storm
Lisa Swanson Faleide
Chelsea Thein
Richard Thorne
Olivia Tobin
Hoa Trinh
Jane Weiers
John Wells
Carolyn Whitson
Jeff Wyant
Enrica Zaidman

Thank you for supporting Northrop!

Making Legendary Performances Possible!

At Northrop, we believe in connecting great artists and ideas with our community and to a new generation of audiences. Your gift helps make memorable arts experiences possible by supporting extraordinary performances and new arts commissions, and helping ensure accessibility to everyone through live-streamed programming, outreach to diverse communities and subsidized student tickets. Our Friends are at the center of Northrop’s biggest ideas and brightest moments on stage.

Become a Friend of Northrop today!

Learn More and Donate Online

Ways to Give:

Annual Giving, a yearly gift amount of your choice.
Monthly Giving, choose a recurring gift amount that works for you.
Stock Gifts, Northrop accepts charitable gifts of stock.
Planned Giving, consider a legacy gift by including Northrop in your will or trust, or by designating Northrop as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy.
Matching Gifts, double your gift through your company’s matching gift program.

To learn more about supporting Northrop please contact:
Cynthia Betz
betzx011@umn.edu or 612-626-7554

Friends of Northrop

A special thank you to our patrons whose generous support makes Northrop's transformative arts experiences possible. Make your mark on Northrop's future by becoming a Friend today, learn more by visiting northrop.umn.edu/support-northrop.

We gratefully acknowledge the support from the Anna M. Heilmaier Foundation, Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board, hospitality partner the Graduate Hotel Minneapolis, and event sponsors PNC Bank and RBC Wealth Management.

Director's Circle

10,000+

Anonymous
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Thomas and Conchy Morgan, In Memory of Sylvia and Henry Frisch
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Donald Williams and Pamela Neuenfeldt

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Anonymous
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100+ (continued)

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