The Peabody-Baltimore Legacy
Three Iconic Organs – Three Master Teachers
The Organ in the 20th Century

October 8-9, 2023

Three former Peabody faculty artists had an incredible influence on the organ world and organ building – Virgil Fox, Arthur Howes, and Donald Sutherland. In recognizing their contribution to the field of organ study, this conference features recitals on the organs with which they were associated. Lectures about the teachers and their pedagogy, as well as a study of the instruments, will display the diverse styles and approaches to the organ in the 20th century. This retrospective will guide us as we also envision pedagogy of organ and sacred music in the 21st century.

Performances will take place on three iconic organs – the beautifully restored Skinner organ at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, where Virgil Fox created his famous arrangement of “Come, Sweet Death;” the Fisk-Flentrop organ at Mount Calvary Catholic Church, envisioned by Arthur Howes and which sparked the career of Charles Fisk; and the Holtkamp organ at Peabody Conservatory, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Performers include Marvin Mills, Jonathan Moyer, William Porter, John Walker, and Janet Yieh. Presenters include Michael Hart, restorer of the Skinner organ at Brown Memorial; Chris Holtkamp, President of the Holtkamp Organ Company; David Pike, Executive Vice President of CB Fisk; Andrew Johnson, the inaugural winner of the OHS Weaver Prize in Organ Scholarship; Doug Marshall, student and protégé of Virgil Fox; and an interview with Donald Sutherland.

Join us as we celebrate three faculty artists who made long-lasting contributions not only to the Peabody Organ Department but to the world of organ design and performance.