By Jessica Foreman
Reporter
The Baylor University Organ Department is proud to announce its 21st annual Halloween Organ Concert with two performances at 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. on Monday in Roxy Grove Hall.
This traditional holiday event features costumed student and faculty performers, members of the Central Texas Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and special music by “the king of all instruments,” the organ.
Dr. Joyce Jones, Joyce Oliver Bowden Professor of Music and Organist-in-Residence, produces the program. She said the concert was initially a way for young people and children to celebrate Halloween in a safe environment.
This event has grown over the years into one of the largest fall programs Baylor’s music department produces.
“We’re set out to prove that the organ can really be a fun instrument,” Jones said. “For many people, the organ has a connotation of seriousness and church and being dull, so we just have so much fun with this [concert].”
This will be Jones’ last time to be in charge of the concert.
Jones, who was named the Cornelia Marschall Smith Professor of the Year in April 2010, is retiring in May after 43 years of teaching.
The program will include Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D minor,” Richard Purvis’ “Marche Grotesque,” Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Turkish March” from “The Ruins of Athens,” Gordon Young’s “Parade” from the Mardi Gras Suite and several others.
The dancing skeletons, a crowd favorite, will be returning this year to perform their holiday jig.
Visitors and audience members are invited to dress in costumes if they would like.
This event is free and open to the public. Roxy Grove Hall is located in Waco Hall, and is the auditorium closest to Armstrong Browning Library.
Prospective attendees can find out more information about the event on the Baylor Music website, baylor.edu/music.
