On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Chapel of St. Basil’s Schoenstein organ, this year’s Monaghan Organ Recital features Professor of Organ at the Rice University Shepherd School of Music, Ken Cowan, as its guest artist. Cowan is regarded as one of North America’s finest concert organists and praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique and imaginative programming for audiences. He received a Master’s degree and Artist Diploma from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music.

Dedicated 25 years ago, the organ was built by Schoenstein and Company, well known for rebuilding the Mormon Tabernacle organ. The organ is a two-manual and pedal, electro-pneumatic instrument, so it uses electric wind and power. The inaugural Monaghan Organ Lecture/Recital was given by Music and Prof. Tom Crow, the late UST professor and longtime University organist who was the main consultant on the purchase of the Chapel organ.

This year’s performance is at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 9, in the Chapel of St. Basil, on the University of St. Thomas campus.

The program includes “Ecumenical Suite for Oran Solo” by Michael Horovit, a multi-movement work based on hymn-tunes commissioned in 1993 by Judy Crow in honor of her husband Tom Crow.

The recital is sponsored by a generous supporter of the UST organ program, who donated to the Music Department in 2019 for purchasing the practice pipe organ currently located in the Cullen Music Building. This event is free and open to the public.  A reception follows the performance.