October 20, 1999
Contact: Charla Jenkins, University Theatre, (785) 864-2684.
LAWRENCE - Marie-Claire Alain, internationally known organist, will be the guest artist for the University of Kansas Organ Conference, "Organ Music of France," scheduled for Nov. 4 through 6 at Bales Recital Hall on the KU campus. More than 100 organists from throughout the country are expected to attend.
Alain, the recent recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Guild of Organists, will present lectures and recitals and conduct master classes during the three-day conference. Her public performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, when she will play an all-Bach program, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, when she will play an all-French program.
Also performing during the conference are:
-- JAMES HIGDON, KU professor of organ and church music, who will play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4. He will be assisted by the KU Collegium Musicum, directed by Simon Carrington, professor of choral music.
-- KU ORGAN STUDENTS, playing at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5.
-- MICHAEL BAUER, KU associate professor of organ and church music, playing at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. He also will be assisted by the Collegium Musicum.
Alain has been a performer, teacher and recording artist for more than 50 years. She was born into a family of musicians in Yvelines, France, and studied at the Conservatoire National Superieur of Paris, where she won four first prizes and numerous international competitions. Greatly sought after as a teacher, Alain has made more than 220 recordings. She is often termed the "first lady of the organ" and was named in 1994 as the International Performer of the Year by the New York City chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
KU organ conference sessions are open to registered participants. A one-day registration is available, which includes a ticket to the nightly concert. General admission tickets for Alain's recitals are on sale through the Lied Center Box Office. They are $7 for the public and $5 for all students and senior citizens. Phone reservations can be made by calling (785) 864-ARTS. Both VISA and MasterCard are accepted for phone orders.