Webb and Bateman gave an endowment to the University five years ago so that a distinguished, world class, musician would come to play at SIUC each year.

This year the Wilson’s will perform a piano and organ duet in Shryock. The Wilson’s are both very famous solo performers, as well as a world-famous duo, and have won seventeen organ competitions collectively.

This is a tremendous opportunity for everyone, Bateman said. It is very unusual to have two people of such talent play together.

Advertisement

The musicians to perform are chosen by a committee that picks a different performer each year.

Lynn Trapp, the artistic director for the Distinguished Organ Recital Series, said that this is not the run-of-the-mill concert.

In all the years I have known, I can’t think of a duet of this type play together in a concert, he said. It is rare for a husband and wife to play together. The music they perform is excellent and extremely entertaining.

This should be a spectacular performance, Webb said. Never in the history of Shryock have we had four hands playing at the organs. This really should be quite a performance.

Shryock is the perfect place for this type of concert, Bateman said. In most places the organs get buried on the stage and you can’t see them. Here you will have the chance to see both of the organs as they play them.

Todd Wilson is the Head of the Organ Department of the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Anne Wilson is a teacher of piano at Baldwin-Wallace College in the preparatory department.

They are scheduled to play music ranging from the masters like Carmen to Bizet, to original works written by Todd Wilson.

Advertisement*

A concert of this type has drawn hundreds of people in the past, Trapp said. Tickets for a show like this usually go for about $25. The concert at Shryock is free, which makes it a great opportunity for everyone.

The event is scheduled for Shryock Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Sept. 22, with free admission.

A pre-concert buffet dinner will be held in the Student Center Ballroom D at 6 p.m. Lynn Trapp will be there to talk about the Wilson’s and the music they will be playing. For reservation information phone 453-1130.