Pipe organ, orchestra to fill church with music

Over his 45 years of playing the pipe organ, Dr. Gary Miller has become intimately acquainted with his instrument. He's played in concert halls in both the United States and Europe, but one thing he's never done in that time is perform Francis Poulenc's "Organ Concerto" in a concert setting.

On Tuesday he'll get his chance to play the famous concerto with the Southeast Missouri Chamber Orchestra at Old St. Vincent's Church at 8 p.m.

"It is a work that I've wanted to play all my life, but I just haven't been in a situation where there has been a chamber orchestra of this caliber and a timpani player of this caliber to perform with," said Miller.

Miller's performance is the highlighted piece of the evening, which will feature several different chamber orchestra pieces played with an ensemble about half the size of the full symphony orchestra.

The organ concerto will be accompanied by Peter Warlock's "Capriole Suite" and works by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.

"The pieces we'll be playing on this program are just kind of highlights of some of the beautiful chamber orchestra music that has been written," said orchestra conductor Dr. Sara Edgerton.

All the performers are particularly excited about the organ concerto, she said.

"He's one of the great organ players of this country," she said of Miller. "He plays so many instruments, but this is his specialty."

The performance of organ concertos is rare, said Miller, since few were written because organ isn't the typical concert hall instrument.

The night will carry special significance for Miller in another way -- he'll celebrate his 60th birthday Tuesday. For the organ specialist, there's no better way to celebrate than to man his favorite gigantic instrument.

"My life has always been very closely attached to the pipe organ," said Miller.

All pipe organs aren't the same, but the one Miller will be playing Tuesday is one he's very familiar with. The instrument was installed in Old St. Vincent's about three years ago, with none other than Miller as the consultant who helped choose it.

"I know that particular pipe organ very well," Miller said.

Tickets are on sale now. Some will be available at the door, but patrons are encouraged to buy early since seating is limited.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

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Want to go?

• What: Southeast Missouri Chamber Orchestra concert featuring Poulenc's "Organ Concerto" with Dr. Gary Miller
• When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25
• Where: Old St. Vincent's Church
• Info: 651-2265