Vital Organ Project

modern music for the modern organ

First Congregational // Colorado Springs, CO

First Congregational // Colorado Springs, CO

First Congregational // Colorado Springs, CO

First Congregational // Colorado Springs, CO

Peace Lutheran // South Haven, MI

Peace Lutheran // South Haven, MI

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

First United // Oak Park, IL

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Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

First Presbyterian // Muncie, IN

First Presbyterian // Muncie, IN

First Presbyterian // Muncie, IN

First Presbyterian // Muncie, IN

Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN

Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN

Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN

Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN

Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN

Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN

Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN

Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN

Church of Saint Peter // North St. Paul, MN

Church of Saint Peter // North St. Paul, MN

Church of Saint Peter // North St. Paul, MN

Church of Saint Peter // North St. Paul, MN

First Christian Reformed // Sioux Center, IA

First Christian Reformed // Sioux Center, IA

Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

Molly Hodson practices Liebermann’s “Air” with Graeme. PC: Carolyn Borcherding

Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

Practicing: view from below. PC: Carolyn Borcherding

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Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

After years in the making, “Artificial Virtue and a Fabricated Strength” makes its debut.

Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL

Ashley Watkins practices Zacharias Paul Büchner’s piece with Graeme. PC: Carolyn Borcherding

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

The setup for the Organ + Electronics concert! PC: Jack Langdon

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

PC: Jack Lagndon

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Graeme playing Jack Lagndon’s Orgelbüchlein for organ and fixed media. PC: Jack Langdon

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Graeme speaking with an interested audience member after the concert. PC: Jack Langdon

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Graeme speaking about the program. PC: Steve Schrier

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Kris Bendrick speaking with audience members about his piece for organ, fixed media, and live electronics. PC: Jack Langdon

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

PC: Jack Langdon

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

The amazing Jared Tubbs helping with tear down after the Organ + Electronics concert. PC: Jack Langdon

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Practicing the “Mixture” of organ and electronics rep on this gorgeous instrument has been a joy.

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First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI

First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI

Playing some Cage!

First Cognregational // Kalamazoo, MI

First Cognregational // Kalamazoo, MI

About 2 hours in to an 8-hour performance of John Cage’s Organ2/ASLSP. It’s a pedal solo, so I can “relax”.

First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI

First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI

First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI

First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI

First Baptist // Kalamazoo, MI

First Baptist // Kalamazoo, MI

Picking registrations with Carolyn Borcherding for the premiere of her piece “Artificial Virtue and a Fabricated Strength” for organ and electronics.

First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI

First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI

Measuring out the proportions to prepare for an 8-hour performance.

Western Michigan University // Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University // Kalamazoo, MI

Practicing a new piece for trumpet, organ, and harmonicas. Sam has his hands full!

First Baptist // Kalamazoo, MI

First Baptist // Kalamazoo, MI

First Baptist // Kalamazoo, MI

First Baptist // Kalamazoo, MI

Sam Gustavson and Robert Jordan practicing their Hovhaness.

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI

Technically not a VOP concert, but Graeme was still happy to collaborate with Western Michigan University’s Russel Brown Brass Quintet! (LtoR: Dr. Steve Wolfingbarger, David Frazier, Karlee Kamminga, Ian Gould, Claire Langejans, Joseph Stoltz, Graeme Shields)

Bethel Lutheran // Madison, WI

Bethel Lutheran // Madison, WI

Some curious audience members post-concert.

Bethel Lutheran // Madison, WI

Bethel Lutheran // Madison, WI

First Presbyterian // Rochester, MN

First Presbyterian // Rochester, MN

First Lutheran // Duluth, MN

First Lutheran // Duluth, MN

Greenlight New Music Festival concert #2 well done! Pictured LtoR: Steven Zubich, Graeme Shields, Tyler Pimm, Alex Hecker, Jack Langdon, Adam Lee Sanders, Matt Magerkurth, Hong-Da Chin.

First Lutheran // Duluth, MN

First Lutheran // Duluth, MN

First Lutheran // Duluth, MN

First Lutheran // Duluth, MN

Greenlight New Music Festival

First Lutheran // Duluth, MN

First Lutheran // Duluth, MN

Just reflecting on our repertoire before the concert.

First St. Andrew's // London, ON, Canada

First St. Andrew's // London, ON, Canada

Just picking out a few stops

First St. Andrew's // London, ON, Canada

First St. Andrew's // London, ON, Canada

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

Allen explaining the history of the organ to an audience member.

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

Graeme performing ‘an intimate space’

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

Steven, Allen, and Graeme after a successful concert.

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

<3

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

David looking after us during rehearsal.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

Audience trickling in. We had 119 show up for an organ concert of new music…imagine that!

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO

What does THIS button do?

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO

Practicing on First Congo’s Salmen organ.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO

Ready to go!

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

A very VERY young organist.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO

The Colorado dream team.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

Such a warm space, and a sparkly Jesus sign to boot.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

Our Kalamazoo program - two world premieres!

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

The coordination was difficult, but we pulled it off!

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

Shootin’ the breeze before the concert.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

Our Kalamazoo program was entirely crowd-funded. It was an amazing experience bringing Origin Brass to Michigan and we’re looking forward to more collaborations in the future!

WEBER MUSIC HALL // DULUTH, MN

WEBER MUSIC HALL // DULUTH, MN

Rehearsing for a talk and instrument demo. This digital organ has recorded samples from four different organs across Europe.

WEBER MUSIC HALL // DULUTH, MN

WEBER MUSIC HALL // DULUTH, MN

Rehearsing a piece for one-organ-8-limbs. We didn’t want to do any page turns so…that should explain the poster board.

WEBER MUSIC HALL // DULUTH, MN

WEBER MUSIC HALL // DULUTH, MN

Justin Rubin helping to explain the digital interface of this Hauptwerk instrument.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST // DULUTH, MN

FIRST UNITED METHODIST // DULUTH, MN

That really pretty star is called a zimbelstern (literally “cymbal star”). When you turn it on, it rotates and makes some extra-beautiful tinkly sounds.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST // DULUTH, MN

FIRST UNITED METHODIST // DULUTH, MN

What you see here is only a small part of this very large organ. The rest of the pipes are all hidden behind the choir loft wall on the other side of the sanctuary.

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN

The entrance to our St. Paul destination.

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN

A big ol’ Casavant organ. Built in 2007. Just a baby!

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN

Setting up our Facebook Live video.

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN

Got the projector working!

ST VINCENT DE PAUL // CHICAGO, IL

ST VINCENT DE PAUL // CHICAGO, IL

This is our second concert here. The stained glass never gets old.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL - CHICAGO, IL

ST VINCENT DE PAUL - CHICAGO, IL

Really though, beautiful space.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL - CHICAGO, IL

ST VINCENT DE PAUL - CHICAGO, IL

ST VINCENT DE PAUL - CHICAGO, IL

ST VINCENT DE PAUL - CHICAGO, IL

Testing out our presets one last time.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI

Last stop! The entire back wall of this sanctuary is basically all organ.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI

Getting ready to go as people wander in.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI

Talking through the different parts of the organ in an instrument demo before the concert!

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI

*Clamoring to get a closer look at the instrument

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI

Ayyyyyyy!
Tour of new music for the organ all finished up. Can’t wait to do it again!

SENDING OUT TOUR POSTERS!

SENDING OUT TOUR POSTERS!

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

Don’t be *board* on Dec. 13th! Cutting some poplar to length and wrapping it in felt. Wanna know what this would sound like on the organ? Come to Circle•Dances to find out!

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

Chimes? English Horn? Subterranean Tuba?!? Yes please!

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

The lights! The tree! The organ console! What a spectacle.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

So many poinsettias…

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

A chat about the music on the concert.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI

PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI

PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI

Wicks Op 4685 (with an iPad to boot).

PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI

PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI

What does THIS button do?

PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI

PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI

PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI

PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI

Graeme peeking over his notes.

PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI

PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI

Tennis shoes on the pedalboard!

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First Congregational // Colorado Springs, CO
First Congregational // Colorado Springs, CO
Peace Lutheran // South Haven, MI
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
First United // Oak Park, IL
03192023_151130881.jpeg
Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL
Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL
First Presbyterian // Muncie, IN
First Presbyterian // Muncie, IN
Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN
Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN
Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN
Saint Paul's Church on Lake of the Isles // Minneapolis, MN
Church of Saint Peter // North St. Paul, MN
Church of Saint Peter // North St. Paul, MN
First Christian Reformed // Sioux Center, IA
Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL
Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL
IMG_2529.JPG
Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL
Redeemer Lutheran // Hinsdale, IL
Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI
Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI
Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI
Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI
Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI
Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI
Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI
Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI
Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI
IMG_7021.png
First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI
First Cognregational // Kalamazoo, MI
First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI
First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI
First Baptist // Kalamazoo, MI
First Congregational // Kalamazoo, MI
Western Michigan University // Kalamazoo, MI
First Baptist // Kalamazoo, MI
First Baptist // Kalamazoo, MI
Second Reformed // Kalamazoo, MI
Bethel Lutheran // Madison, WI
Bethel Lutheran // Madison, WI
First Presbyterian // Rochester, MN
First Lutheran // Duluth, MN
First Lutheran // Duluth, MN
First Lutheran // Duluth, MN
First Lutheran // Duluth, MN
First St. Andrew's // London, ON, Canada
First St. Andrew's // London, ON, Canada
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY // NOACK ROOM - KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BOULDER, CO
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
WEBER MUSIC HALL // DULUTH, MN
WEBER MUSIC HALL // DULUTH, MN
WEBER MUSIC HALL // DULUTH, MN
FIRST UNITED METHODIST // DULUTH, MN
FIRST UNITED METHODIST // DULUTH, MN
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD // ST PAUL, MN
ST VINCENT DE PAUL // CHICAGO, IL
ST VINCENT DE PAUL - CHICAGO, IL
ST VINCENT DE PAUL - CHICAGO, IL
ST VINCENT DE PAUL - CHICAGO, IL
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // BELOIT, WI
SENDING OUT TOUR POSTERS!
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL // KALAMAZOO, MI
PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI
PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI
PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI
PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI
PEACE LUTHERAN // SOUTH HAVEN, MI

MODERN MUSIC FOR THE MODERN ORGAN