Organists lend hand to project

5/16/2003

The Toledo Museum of Art's ongoing renovation of its 3,000-plus pipe, 1926 E.M. Skinner organ gets a boost on Sunday afternoon when area musicians present a benefit recital at Rosary Cathedral.

The event is sponsored by the Toledo Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

“We wanted to do something as a society to support the museum renovation. This recital seemed like a excellent opportunity,” says Rosary Cathedral organist Paul Monachino.

Featured will be an eclectic mix of sounds, ranging from Mozart to John Williams' music from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Organists include David Hufford, Vernon Walcott, Barbara Dulmage, Aaron David Miller, Brian Rotz, Michael Schreffler, Susan Craig, and Monachino. Recorder player David Dyer and violinist Cheryl Trace also will perform. Toledo Museum of Art director Roger Berkowitz will speak.

Builder Ernest M. Skinner is a legend in organ circles. His instruments, particularly those from the late 1920s and early 1930s, are considered by many to be some of the finest ever built.

Renovation of the museum's Opus 603 organ

Area organists will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday at Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Blvd. Freewill offerings support the Toledo Museum of Art Pipe Organ Endowment Fund.