San Diego International Summer Organ Festival Returns To Balboa Park

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego International Summer Organ Festival kicked off Monday at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.

Presented by Spreckels Organ Society, the 35th annual festival features free 90-minute concerts every Monday through Labor Day at the open-air venue.

"Nowhere else can a family take their kids to gain exposure to the purest of art forms, broaden their musical awareness, expand their musical joy, learn about new repertoires, and hear new and old styles far from mainstream," said Raúl Prieto Ramirez, San Diego Civic Organist and artistic director of the Spreckels Organ Society.

All shows are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. every Monday through Labor Day at Spreckels Organ Pavilion at 2125 Pan American Road. The organ and pavilion, gifted to the city in 1915, also host free concerts at 2 p.m. every Sunday.

2023 San Diego International Summer Organ Festival Schedule:

• June 26: Young Artist Concert with James Kealey.
• July 3: "A Patriotic Salute": American Song Book and Patriotic Marches with Organist Robert York.
• July 10: Ravel's "Bolero" on the Spreckels Organ with Raúl Prieto Ramírez.
• July 17: Bizet's "Carmen Suite" and other Opera Overtures with Peter Richard Conte.
• July 24: Bach's "Musical Universe" with Nicole Simental.
• July 31: "Dancing Under the Stars" with Organist Emma Whitten and soprano Maria Miller.
• Aug. 7: "Music in Movies" with Martin Ellis.
• Aug. 14: Brass and Organ "Stereophonic Stravaganza."
• Aug. 21: Nôtre-Dame Cathedral organist Johann Vexo.
• Aug. 28: "Not-So-Silent Movie Night": Harold Lloyd's "The Freshman" with accompanist Clark Wilson.
• Sept. 4: Labor Day Classic Rock Concert.