Internationally acclaimed organ virtuoso Hector Olivera makes his Northrop debut in a program that features works by Meyerbeer, Elmore, Franck, Vierne, and more. Beginning years ago as a child prodigy in Buenos Aires, the Juilliard-trained organist now commands the finest organs on the world stage. Acclaimed for his prodigious technical proficiency and the uncanny effect he has on his audience, Maestro Olivera is a passionate, gifted, and unique musician, whose personal interpretations of both classical and popular music have amazed and delighted audiences around the world.

The event will begin with the premiere of a 45-minute documentary, The Northrop Organ: Past, Present and Future. The film tells the story of Northrop’s Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, Opus 892, from its beginning in 1932 to the present day. The documentary is produced by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists in anticipation of the regional convention in the Twin Cities coming July 2023.

This event will be captioned, with other accessibility services available upon request.

 


“Olivera is a renowned Argentine virtuoso who's played many of the world's great organs, and he'll apply his head, heart, hands and feet to a program of Tantalizing Transcriptions and Tangos that includes music by Giacomo Meyerbeer, Cesar Franck, Louis Vierne and others.” —Star Tribune, Critics’ Pick.

An evening with Mr. Olivera has been described as, “an event, a happening, a joyful celebration of the sheer power and pressure that a true virtuoso like Hector Olivera can unleash in a concert hall.” —The Times

Gallery

Learn More

The content below derives from the Northrop Across Campus Program that supports Northrop's mission towards intersections between performing arts and education for the benefit of all participants now and for generations to come.

Explore These Themes

Find ways to make thematic connections to these suggested courses.

Music: Classical, Contemporary Classical, Improvisation

Religious Studies

Cinema & Film

Spanish Studies

Music/European/World History

Global Studies

Take a deeper dive into these resources that provide more information about the company of performers, the history of the artform, and where you can learn more about the artistic process!

Videos

Start a conversation about the performance, or reflect on the performance, using these questions as inspiration.

The Twin Cities American Guild of Organists was established in 1910 as a branch of the original American Guild of Organists headquartered in New York City in 1896. Today, the Twin Cities chapter is made up of 345 organ connoisseurs from around the metro area and across Minnesota. The organization produced the film documentary included within the kickoff event which features Northrop’s newly renovated Aeolian-Skinner Pipe Organ.

  • How can music, specifically classical music, be used to connect local communities across a national and global level who share similar interests in an individual instrument? 
  • Why is it important to see music live and how does attending an in-person performance shift how you experience the sound?
  • How does the documentary presented by the Twin Cities American Guild of Organists chapter affect your understanding of the organ? Did your mindset shift after learning more about the history and context of the instrument? 

Hector Olivera has been deemed by organ aficionados as one of the greatest organists of our time and an extraordinary improviser. He has performed as a soloist in countless prestigious venues and orchestras all over the world, including the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and recently close to home with the Minnesota Orchestra. He has even performed for numerous notable figures throughout his decades-long career, including the legendary Eva Perón. 

  • Why is it important to celebrate and support classical music, especially in the twenty-first century?
  • How does one distinguish a good musician from a great musician? Is it technique, charisma, artistry, or something else?
  • How has the role of improvisation in Western music evolved over time? Consider the continuo in Baroque music, the cadenza in Concerto form, and the jazz solo, among others.

Supporters

Minnesota State Arts Board logo

 

 

 

Program Notes

The Northrop Organ: Past, Present and Future

The film tells the story of Northrop’s Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, Opus 892, from its beginning in 1932 to the present day. The documentary is produced by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists in anticipation of the regional convention in the Twin Cities coming July 2023.

 

– INTERMISSION –

 

Coronation March
Giacomo Meyerbeer, arranged by Olivera

Concerto No. 1 in E major, Op. 8 No. 1,
La Primavera (“Spring”)

Antonio Vivaldi, arranged by Olivera

I Allegro
II Largo
III Allegro (pastorale)

Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 8 No. 2,
L’Estate (“Summer”)

Antonio Vivaldi, arranged by Olivera

I Allegro non molto
II Adagio
III Presto e forte

Night Song
Robert Elmore

Carillon of Westminster, Op. 54 No. 6
Louis Vierne

Giga
Marco Enrico Bossi, transcribed by Olivera

Three tangos
Astor Piazzolla, transcribed by Olivera

Contrabajeando
Adiós Nonino
Libertango

Improvisation on a submitted theme
Hector Olivera

 

Program subject to change

Maestro Hector Olivera is a passionate, gifted, and unique musician, whose personal interpretations of both classical and popular music have amazed and delighted audiences around the world. 

The Times Reporter describes an evening with Hector Olivera as: “An event, a happening, a joyful celebration of the sheer power and pressure that a true virtuoso like Hector Olivera can unleash in a concert hall.”

Born in Buenos Aires, Mr. Olivera’s first teacher (who was his father) encouraged him to begin playing the pipe organ when he was three. Two years later, he was appointed organist of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. At age 5, he played for the legendary Eva Perón. At six, he entered the Buenos Aires Conservatory to study harmony, counterpoint and fugue. By age nine, he had composed a suite for oboe and string orchestra, performed by the Buenos Aires Symphony Orchestra.

At age twelve, Mr. Olivera entered the University of Buenos Aires where he studied with Hector Zeoli and Juan Francisco Giacobbe. By eighteen, he had performed more than three hundred concerts throughout Latin America, appearing frequently on Argentinean radio and television. During this time, he also served as the senior improvisational accompanist for the Collegium Musicum in Buenos Aires, vastly increasing his prodigious improvisational talent.

In 1965, New York’s prestigious Juilliard School of Music offered him a scholarship. He immediately moved to the United States to study with Vernon de Tar and Bronson Reagan. Three years later, Mr. Olivera won the National Improvisation Contest sponsored by the American Guild of Organists, thereby launching his outstanding professional concert career.

In 1988, after years of performing in the United States, Maestro Olivera was invited to play once again in Argentina. Upon arriving, he was welcomed as a national hero with “Standing Room Only” concerts attended by celebrities and heads of state, as well as being featured on national radio and television shows.

Throughout his concert career, Mr. Olivera has performed in prestigious venues including the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Carnegie Hall in New York, Royal Albert Hall in London, Spivey Hall in Atlanta, Constitution Hall in Washington D.C, the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Myerson Concert Hall in Dallas, Verizon Hall in Philadelphia, Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Sydney Town Hall, Melbourne Town Hall, and Brisbane City Hall in Australia.

In addition to his solo concerts, Mr. Olivera has performed as guest soloist with orchestras worldwide including the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Fort Wayne Symphony, the Dover-New Philadelphia Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Amsterdam Baroque Ensemble, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Pasadena Symphony. Composer Robert Vandall described Mr. Olivera’s performance with the Tuscarawas Philharmonic as “an opportunity to hear and see greatness.”

His collaboration with the Pasadena Symphony produced a “Limited Edition Gold CD” featuring Mr. Olivera in the Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3.

In 1992, Mr. Olivera was guest artist at the American Guild of Organists’ convention at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta performing the world premiere of a commissioned work written by William Albright. Later, from this same stage, Olivera performed on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion, and according to Keillor, he “literally stopped the show!”

In 1996, in celebration of the Olympic games, Mr. Olivera was given the honor to perform a solo concert at Spivey Hall, Atlanta for which he received multiple standing ovations. The Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote: “Olivera swept the audience with absolute Olympic virtuosity, and that still doesn’t say it … Hector Olivera is in a class by himself.”

In 2000, Mr. Olivera performed a solo memorial concert in New York City’s St. Paul the Apostle as a tribute to his hero, the legendary organist Virgil Fox. He played a subsequent Virgil Fox Memorial Concert at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco in 2004.

In 2002, Mr. Olivera was invited again to perform for the American Guild of Organists’ National Convention, where his transcription of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite spontaneously brought the large audience of peers to their feet. Again, in 2004, his appearance before the Guild’s National Convention in Los Angeles was considered an historic triumph by 2,200 cheering organists, who gave him four standing ovations in 45 minutes.

By popular demand, Hector Olivera performed regularly at the celebrated Newport Classical Music Festival. The Providence Journal claimed, “Organist Hector Olivera brought the Newport Music Festival to a spectacular close”

By invitation, Mr. Olivera performed a solo concert that was attended by an audience of 5000 at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on August 12, 2007. “Mr. Olivera … sublime improvisations indeed. “ (Olivier Latry, organist Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris)

In 2010, Mr. Olivera’s magnificent recital at the renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles moved an enthusiastic audience to its feet. The Pasadena Star quoted: “Olivera began winsomely but gradually morphed into a gigantic mass of sound with elements of Messiaen, Vierne and others folded in, including a reprise of the Bach Passacaglia and Fugue from the first half. The audience was on its collective feet at the end, deservedly … No encores were played … or needed.”

In 2014, Mr. Olivera received an invitation to perform at the grand Hong Kong Cultural Center Concert Hall, and the magnificent Shenzhen Concert Hall in China.

In 2016, Maestro Olivera toured Australia where he brought the house down at the glorious Sydney Town Hall, the resplendent Melbourne Town Hall, and the stunning Brisbane City Hall, receiving multiple standing ovations, and rave reviews.

Mr. Olivera performed an unprecedented third recital at the prestigious Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles in 2018.

Mr. Olivera continues to thrill audiences with both solo classical and orchestral compositions, now released on DVD and more than 20 classical, contemporary, and film score recordings.

Most famous for his prodigious technical proficiency and charismatic stage presence, Mr. Olivera’s amazing effect on audiences has made many of the most sophisticated and demanding organ aficionados claim that Maestro Hector Olivera is “one of the greatest organists in the world today."

Visit the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists at tcago.org for information on local organ events, performances, and educational opportunities about the organ. Membership is open to all those interested in the organ. The mission of the American Guild of Organists is to enrich lives through organ and choral music.

We hope you enjoy today’s program and remind you that organ music in its infinite variety is featured every week on American Public Media’s PIPEDREAMS as broadcast throughout the upper Midwest on Sunday mornings from 6 am to 8 am on the network stations of YourClassicalMPR (KSJN-99.5FM in the Twin Cities) and available globally 24/7 online at pipedreams.org. PIPEDREAMS is celebrating its 40th anniversary in national syndication, a record in broadcast history.

Donors

June 5 Celebratory Reception 
  • Anonymous

  • Foley Baker
    Foley Baker logo

  • Russell Draeger - R.W. Draeger & Company

  • David Jenkins

  • Stephen Riendl

 


 

June 6 Presentation by Hector Olivera:

The Art of Transcription: Vivaldi’s “Seasons” and The Tangos of Astor Piazzolla is proudly sponsored by J. Michael Barone

 

 


 

TCAGO logo

TCAGO Convention

Thank you for supporting Northrop!

MAKE 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! 
Donate online at northrop.umn.edu/support-northrop

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, Arts Midwest Touring Fund, Minnesota State Arts Board, Marbrook Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and New England Foundation for the Arts. 

We extend a special thank you to our event sponsors PNC Bank, RBC Wealth Management, and HGA.

director's circle

10,000+

  • Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation
  • Robert Lunieski
  • Jennifer Marrone and David Short

5,000+

  • Jerry Artz
  • Kurt and Susan Bjorklund, Dedicated to Silas and Victoria Ford
  • Ellie Crosby, The Longview and Crosswols Foundations
  • Richard Gregory
  • Gail and Stuart Hanson
  • Randy Hartten and Ron Lotz
  • Marbrook Foundation
  • Gary A. Reetz

2,500+

  • Drs. Robert Bruininks and Susan Hagstrum
  • Susan DeNuccio
  • Nancy Gossell
  • Shawn Monaghan and Greg Plotnikoff
  • Thomas and Conchy Morgan, In Memory of Sylvia and Henry Frisch 
  • Sandra Morris
  • RBC Foundation-USA
  • RBC Wealth Management
  • Scarborough Fair Boutique
  • Donald Williams and Pamela Neuenfeldt

friend's circle

1,000+

  • Anonymous
  • Frederick L. Betz
  • Mary Benson
  • Jeff Bieganek
  • Deb Cran and Bob Craven
  • Bruce and Judith Hadler
  • Karen Hanson and Dennis Senchuk
  • Minhchau and Lawrence Harms
  • Sally and Richard Leider
  • Glenn Lindsey
  • Bob and Susanna McMaster
  • Medtronic Foundation
  • Tim and Gayle Ober
  • Kathryn Sedo and Scott Beers

500+

  • Margaret Albrecht
  • Jeanne Andre
  • Kathryn Cahill, In Honor of Ferne Rowland
  • R. and J. Cameron
  • Rob Carlson and Gregg Larson
  • John and Nancy Conlin
  • Will and Ginny Craig
  • Fran Davis
  • Stephen Davis and L Murray Thomas
  • Meghan DeBruycker Legacy Fund-Willmar Area Community Foundation
  • Bob and Nancy Erickson
  • Jo-Ida Hansen
  • Jennifer and Mark Johnson
  • Brian Lammers and Emily Knox
  • Barbara and Jeffrey Land
  • David and Leni Moore Family Foundation
  • Mark and Cecilia Morrow
  • Gwen and Mason Myers
  • Rebekah Nagler
  • Lance Olson
  • Derrill Pankow
  • Dale Schatzlein and Emily Maltz Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation
  • Richard Taylor
  • TCF Foundation
  • John Wald and Marianne Remedios
  • Mark and Carol Weitz

250+

  • Anonymous
  • Elissa Adams and Michael Margulies
  • Janice Apple
  • Kate and Lynn Christianson
  • George Ehrenberg
  • Pat Gaarder
  • Denise and Corey Holtz
  • Barry and Karen Johnson
  • Jan and Lance Johnson
  • Candy Lord
  • Holly MacDonald
  • David Musolf
  • Elizabeth Parker
  • Ann Piotrowski
  • Patricia and Joseph Pulice
  • Judith Rohde
  • Gordon Rouse and Sylvia Beach
  • Catharine Ruther and David Vanney
  • Phyllis Saltzman
  • Kathleen Schou
  • Dr. Darlene Sholtis and Dr. Heino Beckmann
  • John and Kelly Wheaton
  • Mark Wright and Elizabeth Walton

friend's circle

100+

  • Anonymous
  • Paul Aslanian
  • Thomas and Jill Barland
  • Sharon Bigot
  • Jeanne Blaskowski
  • David Braslau
  • Kristen Brogdon
  • Mark and Karena Casey
  • JaNan Cavanaugh
  • Kate Christianson
  • Russell Cowles
  • Virginia Dale
  • Sandra Dale
  • Timothy and Judith Dove
  • William Durfee and Devorah Goldstein
  • Marcia and Berkan Endres
  • Kathy Gremillion
  • Richard Gwynne
  • David and Julie Hartung
  • Joyce and Eugene Haselmann
  • Annemarie Herrlich
  • Patricia Herrmann
  • Christina Herzog
  • Gayle Hjellming
  • Richard Hruby and Kimberly Broderick
  • Kimberly Hutchens
  • Janet Johnson
  • Tovio Kallas and Beatrice Holton
  • Micki and Neil Kay
  • Warren and Patricia Kelly
  • Randy Kish
  • Leslie Koepke
  • Christina Kraft and Nelson Capes
  • Alan and Peggy Lathrop
  • James and Sharon Lewis
  • Barbara Lind and Craig Poeschl
  • Kimberley MacLennan
  • Holly Manning
  • Candice and Gerald Matykowski
  • Kenneth and Judith Matysik
  • George and Orla McClure
  • Margaret Moutvic-Wasz
  • Michael and Lisa Nekich
  • Jenine Nordquist
  • Jennifer and William Neujahr
  • Donald Ofstedal
  • Field and Cynthia Olson
  • David Pace
  • David and Mary Parker
  • Jacob Rabinowitz
  • Holly Radis-McCluskey and Glen McCluskey
  • John Reay and Karen Hanson
  • Bridget and David Reddan
  • Debra Reischl
  • Julia Sand
  • Kari Schloner
  • Dan Sheehan
  • John Shreves
  • Jan and Alan Sickbert
  • Wendy Steele
  • Jon Thomas
  • Cindy Tong and Robert Denison
  • Ertugrul and Karen Owens Tuzcu
  • John Van Bogar
  • Cheryl Wall
  • Michael Weinbeck
  • Cathy Westrum and Annelynn Westrum
  • Monica Winker-Bergstrom
  • Millie Woodbury
  • Roger Worm

Up to $99

  • Atashi Acharya
  • Kent Akervik
  • Gerald and Georgianna Allan
  • Arthur and Charlet Allen
  • Jean Anderson
  • Marcia Anderson
  • Michael and Jessica Austin
  • Kevin and Shirley Arms
  • Peter Bartholome
  • Todd Barton
  • Austin Beatty
  • Michael Blomberg
  • Tierra Boose
  • Jason Borah
  • Mary Boyer
  • Patti Brase
  • Kathryn Bredemus
  • Philip Briggs
  • Clifford Brody
  • Nancy Brown
  • Justin Burke
  • Thomas Cabaniss
  • Patricia Cagle
  • Mary Campbell
  • Philippe Catalan
  • Fay Chang
  • Karen Charles
  • Mary Ann and Stephen Chicoine
  • David and Nancy Claussen
  • Deborah Clendenning
  • Beverly Connolly
  • Jeanne and David Cornish
  • Scott Cragle
  • Charlotte Curry
  • Neal Cuthbert and Louise Robinson
  • Cynthia Daggett
  • Emily Dail
  • Andre Delattre
  • Diana Demos
  • Soleil Des Lauriers
  • Cindy Devoy
  • Vicki Donatell
  • Byron Douglass
  • Robert Dufault and Ann Wilcox
  • Nancy Duffy
  • Lee Dunn
  • Jill and Ralph Dupslaff
  • Jean Durades
  • Frances Durkin
  • Alisa Eland
  • Kristin Elizondo
  • Susan Elsner
  • Barbara and Gerald Erickson
  • Tamara Eristavi
  • Valerie Fazedin
  • Elizabeth Fleck
  • Debra and Phillip Ford
  • Judith Franklin
  • Kirk Froggart
  • Candance Gossen
  • Michael Green and Jane Powers
  • Jane Greenberg
  • Amanda Grimm and Steven Pope
  • Birgit Grund
  • Julie Hagemann
  • Nils and Heather Halker
  • Urbae Hall
  • Amy Handelsman
  • Jim Hartmann and Michelle Miles
  • Jean Haskell
  • Richard Haskin
  • Cari Hatcher
  • Deborah Hennrikus
  • Patrick and Kimberley Higgins
  • John Hofstede
  • Sheri Horton
  • Janet Horvath
  • Ramona Jacobs and Charles Christianson
  • Karin Jacobson and Adam Chapweske
  • Ann Jaede
  • Jay Jaffee and Wendy Friede
  • Bill Jones
  • Michael Kanner
  • Joan Kenny
  • Anna Kerben
  • Cassandra Kiehn
  • Milo Kim
  • Nancy Klausner
  • Amy Kosari
  • Connie Kuhn
  • Arnold Kvam
  • Mike and Sharon Lane
  • Roberta Lamps
  • Carol Larson
  • Linda Leamer
  • Kathryn LeFevere
  • Jane Leonard and Lori Lippert
  • Elizabeth Ler
  • Debra Lex
  • Michelle and Kevin Lian-Anderson
  • Kathryn Lien
  • Kristine Loh
  • Ann Loushine-Thomsen
  • Marcelienne and Roger Lundquist
  • Dianne and Don MacLennan

Up to $99 (continued)

  • Kyle Maltz
  • Kathryn Manger
  • Judy Marcouiller
  • Nancy Marcy
  • Cynthia Marsh and C.W. Vandersluis
  • Susan McNamara
  • Margaret Michaelson
  • Sanjay Mishra
  • Jill Mitchell
  • M Valeriana Moeller
  • Eric Molho
  • Karen Moon
  • Daniel Moore
  • James Moore
  • Ayaka Moriyama
  • Summer Morrison
  • Ann Mosey
  • Chuck Munro
  • Bridget Murphy
  • Amy Nelson Sander
  • Lloyd Nestrud
  • Shelley and James Nichols
  • Libby Nickel
  • Linda and Larry Nielsen
  • Nina Norum
  • James and Sarah Novotny
  • Kristine Olson
  • Sandra Olson
  • Lynn O’Neal
  • Barbara Owens
  • Nicolas Paredes Sepulveda
  • Ann and Bill Parker
  • Judith Parr
  • Helen Paul
  • Mike Payer
  • Matthew Peak
  • Marjorie Pearson
  • Christina Peterson
  • Edward Peterson
  • Greg and Rebecca Phelan
  • Charisse Pickron
  • Holly Pike and Joseph Klein
  • Cathy Poff
  • Claudia Poser and Ronald Ofstead
  • James Potter
  • Nancy Price
  • Rebecca Quaid
  • Mark Rekow and Lynn Mader
  • Melanie Richards
  • Piper Ritter
  • Mary Roberts and Edward Kraft
  • Susan Roberts
  • Robyne Robinson
  • Yvonne Rode
  • Susan Rohde
  • Susan Rose
  • Irina Rukina
  • Makie Sanchez
  • Edward Sarnoski
  • Rebecca Scherpelz
  • Robin Schow
  • Thomas Scott
  • Cynthia Sharon
  • Elizabeth Sharpe 
  • Michele and Chris Shepherd
  • Rebecca and John Shockley
  • Kevin Silverstein and Karen Tang
  • Carol Skinner
  • Emily Soltis
  • Patricia Stankovich
  • Kathleen Stanley
  • Nanette Stearns
  • Kate Stolpman
  • Vicki Strahan
  • George Swan
  • Toni Taylor
  • Marie-Luise and Anita Teigen
  • Ivette Tejeda
  • Connor Theisen
  • Kay Troan
  • Nancy Tykwinski
  • Brandon Ure
  • Alla Valdberg
  • Tatiana Valdberg
  • Ann Van de Winckel
  • Frank Van Tongeren
  • Bill Venne and Douglas Kline
  • Carolyn Wahl
  • Brian and Katherine Weitz
  • Andrew Welken
  • Helen and Paul Wells
  • Curtis West
  • Susan Wiste
  • Allie Wolf
  • Rachel Wolff
  • Winifred Wu and Robert Lund
  • Yuhsuan Yeh
  • Mary Zilge
  • Margaret Zoerhoff
  • Roberta Zohara

This season’s listing is current as of 5/23/22
Please contact Trisha Taylor at taylort@umn.edu  if you have any corrections or questions.

The Heritage Society honors and celebrates donors who have made estate and other planned gifts for Northrop at the University of Minnesota. 

  • Nancy M Allen*
  • Jerry L Artz
  • John W Follows*
  • Stephen Gordon and Pat Gavan-Gordon
  • Peter S Lund
  • Darlene M Sholtis

*deceased

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

Anonymous
Reade Adams
Katherine Anderson
Terry and Vicki Anderson
Pat Andrle
J. Michael Barone
Karen and Alan Beck
Mark Bergaas and Mark Ceilley
Carol Bessler
Fred and Cynthia Betz, In Honor of Esther Stocke
Dean Billmeyer
Joyce Brown
Drs. Robert Bruininks and Susan Hagstrum
Francis Carter
James Commander
Scott Cragle
William and Virginia Craig
Dee Ann and Kent Crossley
Thomas Dillon
Sheena Dufresne
Laura and Tim Edman
David Fiebiger
Peter Fiore
Catherine Fischer
Deborah Ford
Susan Foster
Salvatore Franco

Judith Franklin
Reid Froiland
Maiken Givot
Karen Grasmon
Marilyn Haight
Nils and Heather Halker
Thomas Hanna
Jeffrey Helgerson
Helen Hillstrom
Janet Hively
Anna Iltis
Charlie Johnson
Susan Keljik
Mark Kieffer
Joseph Kuznik
Arnold Kvam
Carol Leach
Kristin Lefferts
James Lehmann
Kathryn Lien
Ronald Low
Peter Lund
Stephanie McDonald
Alfred and Ann Moore
Daniel Moore
Darcia Narvaez
Paul Nasvik
Pamela Neuenfeldt and Don Williams

Don Notvik
Steve Oakley
Paul Olsen
Steve Panizza
Robert Paschke
Daniel Peterson
David and Margaret Peterson
Chia-Hsing Pi
Holly Radis-McCluskey and Glen McCluskey
Jane Rosemarin and Val Lardwehr
Bruce Schelske
Connie Schuelka
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
John Sebolt
Nancy Shallcross
Rebecca and John Shockley
Foster Solem
Chris Solheid
Laurine Speltz and Denis Ryono
Richard Steege
Paul Stever
William Tajibnapis
Nicole Thomas
Curtis Trout
John Vilandre
Michael Volna
Nancy Wellington
David and Rachelle Willey

board members

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

Cathie Fischer
Nils Halker
Cari Hatcher
David Jensen
Helen Jensen
Pamela Neuenfeldt
Kari Schloner

This season’s listing is current as of 5/23/22
Please contact Trisha Taylor at taylort@umn.edu  if you have any corrections or questions.

Jeff Bieganek

Welcome to Northrop! I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate the final event of our 2021-22 season than by joining us for the Northop debut of Hector Olivera and the world premiere of the documentary, The Northrop Organ: Past, Present and Future. The film tells the story of Northrop’s Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, Opus 892, from its beginning in 1932 to the present day—and today is another spectacular day for our instrument as we get to listen to internationally-renowned Maestro Oliver perform on this historic organ. Like many of our performances, we are proud to partner with our community for this event—co-presenting today with the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. We are so grateful to you, our patrons, for your support and commitment to the work that we do, to our outreach and collaborations, and to the artists that we present.

Summer is upon us and our 2022-23 season will be announced soon—we can’t wait to share it with you. In the meantime, we hope that you will join us for our lunchtime music series, Amplifying Solidarity, starting Jun 15 with a noon concert by the incomparable Annie Mack. This free concert series co-presented with UMN partners, was created to lift the voices of marginalized people and to welcome our campus community. We hope we can welcome you to one of these concerts running from Jun 15 to Sep 14.

As we enjoy this performance and look to future events, I invite you to support Northrop’s programs, helping to shine bright lights on our stage. Please consider supporting the important work that Northrop is doing now and in the future to inspire positive change in our world. The Northrop Advisory Board is growing along with new opportunities to engage. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us at northrop@umn.edu

Thank you for being a part of our Northrop audience today!

Jeff Bieganek, Northrop Advisory Board Chair

About the Northrop Advisory Board

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.

board members

Cynthia Betz
Jeff Bieganek, Chair
Kristen Brogdon
Dr. Robert Bruininks
John Conlin
Deb Cran
Susan DeNuccio
Karen Hanson
Cari Hatcher

Jill Hauwiller
Bob McMaster
Katheryn Menaged
Toni Pierce-Sands
Holly Radis-McCluskey
Gary Reetz
Robyne Robinson
Kari Schloner
Donald Williams

This season’s listing is current as of 5/23/22
Please contact Trisha Taylor at taylort@umn.edu  if you have any corrections or questions.