Spreckels Organ Society

Read the posts below to learn about the mechanical difficulties now preventing organ music at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. We will not have music on Sunday Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. though we *will* have Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez and Curator Dale Sorenson onhand for what we hope will be the final “show and tell” session describing the mechanism of the Spreckels Organ. It’s expected that the blower will be re-installed after November 4th so that the concerts scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 11, may take place as envisioned.

Our apologies to those who were expecting music on recent Sundays – the failure of the motor on the organ’s main blower has left us without air pressure until repairs can be effected. We hope to have a music concert on Sunday Oct. 21, but cannot say for sure that this will be the case. Because of this uncertainty, the October 22 salute to San Diego Opera concert is postponed until a later date, to be determined. The Sunday concert on October 14 will be a show-and-tell with Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez sharing the spotlight with organ curator Dale Sorenson. Today the blower was removed from the Pavilion and will be at the shop for an estimated seven-day overhaul. Thanks for your support during this “fix-it” period!

In lieu of the regular organ concert, Curator Dale Sorenson (pictured below) will present a “show and tell” of the Spreckels Organ, joined by Civic Organist Emeritus Robert Plimpton. The organ is temporarily disabled due to failure of the motor that furnishes air pressure. It’s expected that the organ will be working in time to play for the regularly scheduled concert on Sunday, October 14.

Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 – A key component of the Spreckels Organ has broken, with the consequence of a temporary suspension of organ concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Concerts scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2:00 pm. will be replaced with a “Show and Tell” close-up of the organ console and inside the organ building.

The repairs needed on the 20-horsepower electric motor that powers the air supply of the 103-year old pipe organ are expected to be completed in time for the organ concert scheduled for Sunday October 14. Once repaired, the motor is expected to last for many more years, and all other components of the organ are currently in working order.