Megan Hizey, senior music education major from Erie, Kan., practices on the Fisk Opus 106 organ in McCray Recital Hall.

Fisk Opus 106 turns 10

It’s called the king of instruments and in Pittsburg State University’s McCray Recital Hall, the organ – specifically the Fisk Opus 106 – reigns supreme.

The 2005-2006 academic year marks the 10th anniversary of the arrival of the Fisk Opus 106 Organ on the PSU campus. Throughout the academic year, the Fisk Organ Series has spotlighted this versatile organ’s abilities. The final event in this year’s series will be a concert by James David Christie, organ professor at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 31. The concert, sponsored by the Fisk Opus 106 Organ Society, is free. While in Pittsburg, Christie will also teach a masterclass for organ students from Pittsburg, Lawrence, and Wichita from 3-5 p.m. in McCray Recital Hall.

During its first decade, the Fisk Opus 106 has drawn some of the most renowed organists from Europe and the United States to the Pittsburg State campus. The organ has also been heard in collaborative performances with the Southeast Kansas Symphony, the PSU Choirs, and visiting artists such as the Eastman Brass Quintet. The organ has even been featured on the nationally-syndicated radio program “Pipedreams.”

According to Susan Marchant, director of choral activities, organ and harpsichord in PSU’s Department of Music, the Fisk Opus 106’s most important role at PSU is as a teaching tool.

“The organ has served PSU’s undergraduate and graduate organ students as one of the finest teaching instruments to be found anywhere,” Marchant said. “Perhaps most importantly, the organ has provided many exciting moments for thousands of children who have visited McCray Hall for demonstrations and tours of the organ. This will continue to help build the audience of the future!”

The debut recording of the organ, a CD titled “Traditions,” performed by Marchant, was released on the Pro Organo label in 1999 and was distributed to retailers throughout the United States and Europe. Copies of this recording may still be obtained through the Department of Music.

Organ-related activities are supported by a Friends group, the Fisk Opus 106 Organ Society. For further information concerning membership in the Society, contact the Department of Music, 620-235-4476.

For more information:

Pittsburg State University Department of Music:
www.pittstate.edu/music

The Fisk Opus 106 at PSU:
www.pittstate.edu/music/Fiskop106.html

The C.B. Fisk organ company, organ building, and some of the magnificent instruments built by the C.B. Fisk company (including PSU’s Opus 106):
www.cbfisk.com/welcome.html

---Pitt State--