Principal Notre Dame Cathedral Organists to perform at Bales Organ Recital Hall

From Oct. 18 to 21, Notre Dame Cathedral’s three principal organists will perform at the Bales Organ Recital Hall, marking the first time in history that the cathedral’s principal organists have performed together outside of Paris. 

Notre Dame’s titular organist - Olivier Latry, Vincent Dubois and Philippe Lefebvre – will be performing as part of the 2017 American Guild of Organists National Pedagogy Conference, which is being hosted by the KU School of Music’s Division of Organ and Church Music. Organists from around the world are expected to attend the conference that will explore teaching in the French conservatory system.  

“This is a significant musical event. Nothing like this has been done before,” said James Higdon, a Dane and Polly Bales Professor of Organ and Director of the Division of Organ and Church Music.  

Other noted presenters will be Michel Bouvard, professor of organ at the Paris Conservatory; Aurélie Decourt, historian and daughter of the famed French organist Marie-Claire Alain; and Shin-Young Lee, a noted French concert artist.  

Concerts, which are opened to the public, will be performed at the Bales Organ Recital Hall, located on the northwest side of the Lied Center of Kansas.  

Concert schedule: 

Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. 
French organists Olivier Latry, Vincent Dubois, Philippe Lefebvre, Michel Bouvard and Shin-Young Lee will participate in a concert mass as it would have been celebrated in 17th century France, alternating chant with organ music.  

Thursday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m.  
Shin-Young Lee, noted French concert artist 

Thursday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m.  
Olivier Latry, Notre-Dame Cathedral organist 

Friday, Oct. 20 at 4:30 p.m.  
Michel Bouvard, professor of organ at the Paris Conservatory 

Friday, Oct. 20 at 8:00, p.m.  
Philippe Lefebvre, Notre Dame Cathedral organist, will present a completely improvised recital

Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. 

Vincent Dubois, Notre Dame Cathedral organist 

Concert tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors. Students are free. Tickets can be purchased at the Lied Center Ticket Office, by phone at 785-864-2787 or online at lied.ku.edu.  

For more information, contact Michael Bauer, KU professor of organ and church music, at 402-541-3080 or visit agopedagogyconference.music.ku.edu.