It's a Concert, Charlie Brown! Celebrating Sounds of the Season

Q: This program features both beloved classical works like Richard Purvis's Carol Rhapsody and contemporary arrangements from A Charlie Brown Christmas. How do you approach programming a concert that balances these very different styles of music?

A: I think this is one of the greatest aspects of playing the organ. It is such a versatile instrument, especially the one at Northrop, that it allows me to explore different genres of music, all within the same theme of the holidays. Each work brings out different aspects of the organ to engage with the audience in multiple ways.

Q: With pieces ranging from the power of Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella to the more nuanced sound needed for Sleigh Ride, what aspects of the Northrop pipe organ's versatility are you most excited to showcase to the audience?

A: The audience will hear essentially every sound and color in the palette from the nearly 7,000 pipes this instrument has. And the audience will get a chance to participate in the performance of Sleigh Ride, since they’ll act as the “whip” sound by clapping!

Q: Out of all the pieces you are performing—such as Carol Rhapsody or Feliz Navidad—is there one that holds a particular personal significance for you, and why?

A: I personally love holiday music—probably more than most people, haha! I’m one of those people that starts listening to it in October, so each piece is a pleasure to play. There are certain works, like the movements from A Charlie Brown Christmas, that bring about a specific nostalgia, but each work, I hope, will mean something to everyone in the crowd and really get you all in the holiday spirit!

Q: You're collaborating with a chorister from the Minnesota Boychoir for Walking in the Air. What is the experience like working with a young vocalist on such a popular piece, and how does the organ support the voice in that arrangement?

A: My favorite thing to do is to collaborate with other musicians, to showcase the range of our instruments and bring visibility to other talented musicians in the area. I can’t wait to perform alongside one of the choristers and support their beautiful singing. The organ is so orchestral that the musicians on stage often feel like they’re playing with a 100-piece ensemble, even when it’s just the two of us.

Q: The combination of the pipe organ and a drum set is intriguing. What inspired this unique pairing, and what unique challenges or opportunities does it present in performance?

A: Surprisingly to many, the organ and drum set work spectacularly well together! I have performed this Charlie Brown set before on organ, and the addition of the drums makes it sound like the original, but with a delightful twist. I think everyone will be tapping along (or dancing along), in large part because of the rhythm that the drums provide.

Accomplished percussionist Steve Kimball is a frequent performer with the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, as well as a University of Minnesota alum! We are thrilled to have him on the Northrop stage.

Q: Since this is a Relaxed Matinee, how does knowing you are playing for a relaxed performance influence your approach to the concert or your interaction with the audience? Why do you feel offering more accessible inclusive formats like the Relaxed Matinee is important for classical music and the organ world?

A: I’m always relaxed on stage, so the idea of a concert that is intentionally relaxed is right up my alley! I want the audience to feel like they’re in a home living room, where each interaction and performance is personal, rather than a sterile environment where folks are cautious of how to react. So nothing really changes on my part, and I hope that we can just have a great time together!

While this is the first performance of this kind for me, personally, I have always tried to make each performance as relaxed and comfortable as possible, because everyone wants to enjoy the concerts they attend. I think it is fundamental for a performer to make each individual member in the audience feel like you’re talking to them directly, both in your commentary and performance. I am grateful to Northrop for putting on these kinds of events that specifically inform the audience of exactly what kind of mood and feeling we hope to all have!