The Dalles Are Alive with the Sound of Organ Music
by Garry Estep
It is spring in The Dalles, and this year is an Organ Crawl year! April 16th 2023 celebrates the 9th Biennial Organ Crawl, which was started in 2007 by Robert Carsner (1940-2014).
The Dalles is a special place since we boast five (count them… five) pipe organs while many larger cities have none anymore. The preservation and appreciation of the pipe organs here in our fair city has come to the attention of the Portland branch of the American Guild of Organists. And the love we give to these majestic “King’s of Instruments” continues.
This year’s organ crawl starts at historic St. Peter’s Landmark in downtown The Dalles with Hood River organist Diana Beterbide on the even more historic 1907 Kilgen Organ which has retained its original configuration (except for adding an electric driven blower).
The crawl continues as Cheryl Ortega features the Wicks organ at the United Church of Christ Congregational (corner of 5th and Court Streets).
Next is local organist E.J. Howe playing the Reuter Organ at the First Church of Christ Scientist located at 701 Washington Street.
After that you will hear Heidi Kohne from Portland (who has been featured in many organ events here in The Dalles over the years) playing the 1905 Kimball organ at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church located at 1805 Minnesota St.
Finally, you will hear local organist Garry Estep on the 1976 Phelps-d’Autremont organ at Zion Lutheran Church located at the corner of 10th and Union Streets.
A reception will be held at Zion ELCA after the concert is over.
Admission is free, and donations go toward continuation of this The Dalles tradition, as well as assisting in the maintenance and upkeep of our beautiful instruments.
