THE HOLTKAMP/PASI ORGAN in the church at Saint John’s Abbey is acknowledged by organ music lovers to be one of the finest in the country. A well-traveled organist wrote: “The Holtkamp-Pasi [Organ] is one of the most thrilling instruments I have ever gotten the chance to hear and play and one of only a few I know that is truly capable of playing any style of organ literature in a convincing manner.”
The Organ Program Endowment of the Holtkamp-Pasi Organ will help us provide inspiring music by bringing in world-class as well as local musicians to Saint John’s to perform on this organ. Stephen Tharp, a world-famous classical organist, performed a stunning classical program for part of the blessing and dedication of the church organ in 2022. Since then, organ virtuoso Greg Zelek has performed some wonderful programs, one of which included the Canadian Brass. And, of course, Father Bob Koopmann, OSB, and others have delighted audiences with their creative performances, including this past October with the return of the seasonal and delightful Great Pumpkin concert that featured performances of not only Father Bob but several other monks from the Abbey. A great and well-received performance. Finally, the world-renowned Montserrat Abbey Boys’ Choir from Catalonia, Spain, performed in 2022, and just this month, November of 2023, Dr. Isabelle Demers’ performed the world premiere of “Tone Poem in Honour of Saint Benedict.”
To assist with the programming for the Holtkamp-Pasi Organ, you are encouraged to consider a gift in support of the Endowment for the Programming of the Abbey Organ.