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World-class organ virtuoso to perform at St. Olaf

By Lyndel Owens '10
February 25, 2008

Bradley Welch has turned his childhood intrigue with the organ into a talent that led The American Organist to describe him as a "world-class virtuoso." He will showcase his musical skills in an organ performance at St. Olaf College on Tuesday, Feb. 26.

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Welch
The organ recital will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Boe Memorial Chapel. It is free and open to the public. Parking is limited, however, so guests are advised to arrive early.

Known for his engaging performances, Welch will play a diverse range of pieces in his 65-minute recital. The 31-year-old Knoxville, Tenn., native will begin with noted church musician Leo Sowerby's "Pageant," a showpiece played only with the organists' feet. His lineup also includes Virgil Fox's arrangement of "Come, Sweetest Death," a work that Welch cites as an early inspiration and calls a "truly a transcendent piece of music."

Welch became "hooked" on the organ at age nine after hearing a church organist play during a field trip. Soon after he began studying piano, which led to organ lessons when he was 13. His fascination with the instrument has remained consistently strong throughout the years.

"I enjoy the organ for so many reasons: the huge variety of color in different sounds, the enormous dynamic range, the ability for one person to control so much power, yet with finesse and expressiveness, and also the fact that it is an impressive instrument to watch someone play," he says.

Welch earned a bachelor of music degree from Baylor University. He continued his music education at Yale University, where he earned the master of music degree in organ performance, the artist diploma, the master of musical arts degree and the doctor of musical arts degree. While at Yale, Welch received several prestigious awards, including the Robert Baker Prize, which is given to an incoming organ student who is deemed to be in the top 1-2 percent of the nation's young organists.

He has also won a number of organ competitions, including the Dallas International Organ Competition. Welch was a featured artist at three regional conventions of The American Guild of Organists, and he made his European debut in France performing in the Chartres Festival.

He is the artist-in-residence at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas.

Contact Kari VanDerVeen at 507-786-3970 or vanderve@stolaf.edu.