Becoming as popular as tulips and Dutch dancing, Hope College's Tulip Time organ recitals continue this year on Wednesday-Friday, May 8-10.
Becoming as popular as tulips and Dutch dancing, Hope College's Tulip Time organ recitals continue this year on Wednesday-Friday, May 8-10.
The public is invited. Admission is free. The performances begin at 10 a.m., with the last performance occurring at 1:30 p.m. Pieces being performed include works by J.S. Bach, Petr Eben, Franz Liszt, and Johannes Brahms.
The recitals are organized by Hope faculty member, Dr. Huw Lewis. Born in Wales, Lewis attended the Royal College of Music in London and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, before coming to the University of Michigan where he earned Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees. Lewis maintains a full performing schedule, and has played at several conventions of the American Guild of Organists, and was a featured artist at the 1987 International Congress of Organists. His playing has been broadcast nationally in both the US and Britain: he records regularly for the BBC.
In addition to Lewis, 2002 Hope graduate Susan De Kam of Caledonia will be performing. In March this year, De Kam earned second place in the nation in the Music Teachers' National Association Collegiate Artist Organ Competition. In the fall, she will begin graduate studies in organ at The University of Michigan. She is touring Romania this summer as a pianist with the Fine Arts Trio, which includes two other Hope students.
Other organists include Hope alumni Marie Blauwkamp, a 1962 graduate from Zeeland; Peter Kurdziel, a 1996 graduate from Holland; Krista Shinew, a 2001 graduate from Ann Arbor; David Schout, a 2000 graduate from Ypsilanti; and Linda Strouf, a 1984 graduate from Holland. Strouf holds a master's degree in organ performance, and is on faculty at Hope College. Kurdziel, Shinew and Schout are all currently pursuing graduate degrees in organ performance.
Also performing are Elizabeth Claar, who is currently pursuing her graduate degree in organ performance, and Hope student Heidi Dykema, a member of the Class of 2003 from Grand Rapids.
Dimnent Memorial Chapel is located on College Avenue at 12th Street.