Free organ concert at West Point Chapel

WEST POINT — Concert organist Thomas Dressler will perform a recital endowed by West Point’s Class of 1936 Distinguished Organists Recital Series on Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m.

Dressler has gained a reputation as a stylistic interpreter of music from the Renaissance and Baroque eras but he also has made significant studies and performances in large organ works of the 19th century. He received a masters degree with honors from Westminster Choir College, studying with Joan Lippincott, and epitomizes the school’s ideal of the “scholar musician.” He specializes in playing older tracker organs and was the featured artist for the 150th anniversary re-dedication of the historic Round Lake pipe organ.

Dressler's recital will include large works of Johann Sebastian Bach and Josef Rheinberger. This organ recital is free and open to the general public. A freewill offering will be accepted.

The concert will be held at the West Point Cadet Chapel at West Point. The chapel has the world’s largest church pipe organ numbering over 23,500 pipes in a cathedral sanctuary measuring over 200 feet long. The organ pipes fill the space from the massive six-tier galleries in the front to the horizontal trumpets in the back. This organ is heard by thousands of visitors every year including heads of state, members of Congress, cabinet members and foreign dignitaries.

Allow extra travel time for the vehicle and photo I.D. inspection at Stony Lonesome and Thayer gates. Due to changing security requirements at West Point, check www.westpoint.edu/special before leaving for the recital.