Good vibrations of Organ-Fest

A pipe organ, with more than 3,000 pipes, fills the back of the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights.

The 45-rank Schantz pipe organ -- that can play up to 45 different sounds emulating a full orchestra -- was built for the church's sanctuary in 1972, and added on to in 2005.

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, it will be featured in the 23rd annual Organ-Fest, and played by William Aylesworth, John Bryant, Christine Kraemer, Merlin Lehman, Kirstin Synnestvedt and Christopher Urban, as well as Leon Nelson, First Presbyterian's music director.

All seven musicians serve as principal organists or music directors for Chicago area churches. Their concert repertoire will feature a variety of music from the Baroque and Romantic periods to contemporary pieces.

It was Nelson who conceived the first Organ-Fest in 1985 at his former church, the First Presbyterian Church in Deerfield. When he was reassigned to Arlington Heights in 1994, he brought the program with him.

"We have faithfully carried on the tradition every year to large, enthusiastic audiences," Nelson said. The sanctuary, which holds up to 500 people, is usually full depending on the weather.

This year, he says, will be the last Organ-Fest. Nelson is retiring in June and, consequently, all of the musicians are making this year's performance their last in this setting.

"The organ is a very orchestral instrument, with a variety of different sounds," Nelson said. "And, there is so much literature written for the organ, from Renaissance to Baroque and Romantic."

Since bringing the Organ-Fest to Arlington Heights, Nelson has helped in elevating the congregation's appreciation for the instrument. Not only does it sponsor the annual Organ-Fest, but the congregation sponsors weekly noontime organ concerts.

Every Wednesday the 35-minute concerts, which continue through April 2, draw a crowd at lunchtime.

"We've drawn some very large crowds," Nelson said.

There's no cost for admission but a freewill offering is accepted, he said.

The weekly concerts offer a musical escape from the busy workday, Nelson said, and time to contemplate and regroup.

If you go

What: 23rd annual Organ-Fest

When: 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, 302 N. Dunton Ave.

Cost: Freewill offering

Call: (847) 255-5900