Canadian Brass Coming to St. John’s Abbey Church

(KNSI) – The newly expanded pipe organ at Saint John’s Abbey and University Church will get a workout Saturday. Canadian Brass, an internationally acclaimed brass ensemble, will perform alongside organist Greg Zelek Saturday, February 26th at 8:00 p.m.

Canadian Brass has sold over two million albums worldwide, performed across the globe, and appeared on television shows ranging from the Tonight Show to numerous PBS Specials.

Organist Greg Zelek is the principal organist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra. The Diapason magazine named Zelek one of the top “20 Under 30” organists in 2016.

The concert was originally scheduled for last year but had to be postponed due to the pandemic. It was organized as the public celebration of the expanded pipe organ at the Abbey.

Father Bob Koopmann, longtime music professor at St. John’s, says it’s a unique opportunity to hear music designed to showcase a pipe organ. “People are going to see a world-famous brass quintet playing music that has been composed or arranged to go with organ”. Fr. Koopmann says the newly-expanded organ now features over 6,000 pipes, ranging from the size of a pencil to nearly 850 pounds. The project was finished in 2020, but due to COVID, there hasn’t been an opportunity to showcase the result. “They will get to experience the most fantastic pipe organ sound they could possibly imagine. The sound perfectly fills up the size of the church. It’s really an incredible thing to behold.”

General admission tickets are $28, with $25 tickets for seniors (60+), $21 tickets for CSB/SJU faculty and staff, and $15 for youth/student tickets with valid ID.

Purchase tickets here, or call 320-363-5777.

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