Campbell Organ Festival Showcases Majestic Pipe Organ Music

LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University’s annual Campbell Organ Festival will return at 6 p.m. March 6, offering a celebration of organ music through education and performance. This year’s festival, held in the Daryl Chase Fine Art Center’s Daines Concert Hall, will feature a hymn-playing masterclass and a faculty recital, both free and open to the public.

“The Campbell Organ Festival is a special opportunity to highlight the Campbell Holtkamp Organ and to celebrate the generosity of Paul and Paulette Campbell, whose contributions have supported the instrument, scholarships and resources for USU organ students,” said Neil Harmon, director of organ studies at USU.

The evening will begin with a hymn-playing masterclass led by Connor Larsen, a graduate student completing his master's degree in Organ Performance at Brigham Young University. The class will be open to attendees of all skill levels from the university and the wider community.

“Connor Larsen is a gifted teacher who has a winning personality and the ability to explain things in a captivating way,” Harmon said.

Following the masterclass, Harmon will perform a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. on the Campbell Holtkamp Organ.

The program will include pieces from the German Baroque, German Romantic, French Romantic and American Contemporary traditions. One of the highlights of the program is Suite Brève by lesser-known composer Jean-Marie Plum.

“The Suite Breve is almost never played today, but I enjoy performing this impressionistic suite,” Harmon said.

The festival originated from Paulette Campbell’s passion for the organ. While taking lessons at USU, she learned the university’s pipe organ was non-functional.

“She and her husband, Paul, donated a substantial gift to the university, funding the renovation of the instrument,” Harmon said. “The Campbells have also donated generously to fund scholarships, organ shoes and organ music for USU organ students.”

According to Harmon, the Campbell Organ Festival is a rare opportunity in Cache Valley to enjoy world-class organ music.

“The organ has the widest dynamic range of any musical instrument, from the softest whispers to the majestic, almost overwhelming sound of the full organ,” Harmon said. “I hope attendees leave feeling inspired to learn more about the organ.”

For more information about the Campbell Organ Festival, visit the online calendar.