Following our celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Overture Concert Organ with you all last season, I can’t wait to create new and exciting memories together this year! I open the season in October with a concert of great organ and choir works, featuring the UW–Madison Concert Choir, conducted by Mariana Farah.
In November, renowned trumpeter and former Canadian Brass member, Caleb Hudson, will join me on stage for a concert of organ and solo trumpet music. In February, the famed organist, Felix Hell, returns to Overture Hall for the first time since his debut in 2012. We wrap up our 21st season in harmony with the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s 100th anniversary celebration, with an intimate evening of music featuring nine MSO musicians performing repertoire for organ and chamber ensemble. I look forward to the start of this thrilling new decade of our Overture Concert Organ Series!
Greg Zelek &
– Greg Zelek
Principal Organist and Elaine and Nicholas Mischler Curator of the Overture Concert Organ
The performers and the chemistry between them, Mr. Zelek’s personality and obvious enthusiasm for the music and the instrument… what a gem.
– MSO Subscriber
Hearing Greg play the organ is always a special experience for me. I am so impressed by his command and mastery of his instrument. I also enjoy how easily he connects with his audience and how “at home” he is relating to the audience with his personable and likeable style.
– MSO Subscriber
FARAH Director
the UW–Madison Concert Choir
The UW–Madison Concert Choir, conducted by the UW Director of Choral Activities, Mariana Farah, will join me in a concert featuring some beautiful works written for organ and choir. Opening with the Kyrie from Vierne’s Messe Solennelle , the audience will hear the power of the organ in tandem with these powerful voices. In a program featuring other well-known classics, like arrangements of Amazing Grace and Barber’s Sure on This Shining Night , as well as popular arrangements of Brazilian jazz tunes, you won’t want to miss this exciting collaboration!
– Greg Zelek
MAJOR SPONSORS
Walter and Karen Pridham Charitable Fund
Kay Schwichtenberg and Herman Baumann
MUSIC
LOUIS VIERNE
Kyrie from Messe Solennelle
SAMUEL BARBER
Sure on This Shining Night
TRADITIONAL
( arr. MACK WILBERG )
Amazing Grace
ERIKS ESENVALDS
Te Deum
ZEQUINHA DE ABREU
Tico-Tico
BRAZILIAN FOLK SONGS
Fun no Itororó
MARIANA
Greg Zelek, Organ Caleb Hudson, Trumpet
Trumpeter Caleb Hudson has made a name for himself as one of the most virtuosic trumpet soloists, as well as a respected pedagogue. I had the opportunity to collaborate with Caleb for the first time in 2022 when he was a member of the Canadian Brass. Now I get the chance to share his incredible talent with you all in a program featuring many arrangements for organ and trumpet, such as Bartók’s Romanian Dances , as well as works written by and for Caleb himself.
Join us for this thrilling evening!
– Greg Zelek
...Mr. Hudson dazzling the crowd with the famous piccolo trumpet...
– Jeffrey Williams for New York Concert Review
MAJOR SPONSORS
Jane Hamblen and Robert F. Lemanske
Skofronick Family Charitable Trust
MUSIC
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Concerto In D Major, BWV 972
BÉLA BARTÓK
Romanian Folk Dances
OSCAR LINDBERG
Gammal fäbod från Dalarna
REMY LE BOEUF
Vignette No. 20
CLAUDE BOLLING
Toot Suite
madisonsymphony.org/ caleb
Felix Hell, Organ
Organist Felix Hell, who first performed for us in 2012, returns to Madison with a unique and brilliant program that he calls “Cathedral of Sound: The Organ as Orchestra.” The program features his own arrangement of Beethoven’s famous Fifth Symphony , never heard before on the Overture Concert Organ. You won’t want to miss Felix’s unbelievable artistry and creativity, as he brings this massive work to life on our very own instrument!
– Greg Zelek
MAJOR SPONSORS
Friends of the Overture Concert Organ
Myrna Larson
Jennifer Younger and Tom Smith
ADDITIONAL SPONSORS
Mark Huth and Meghan Walsh
…he sets standards that many established and honoured older players would struggle to equal.
– Michael Barone, The American Organist
MUSIC
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Sinfonia from Cantata No. 29
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Fantasy in F Minor, K. 608
SAMUEL BARBER
Adagio for Strings
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN ( arr. FELIX HELL )
Symphony No. 5 in C-Minor, op. 67
GREG ZELEK Organ
Koh’s playing had an impressive dexterity; he gave shape and depth to the long, held out pitches that make this piece such a dream.
– The Cap Times
...Fix’s agile fingering made the piece a worthy departure from the rest of the holiday fare.
– The Cap Times
musical memories together with you
David Scholl, Bass , JJ Koh, Clarinet , Karl Lavine, Cello , Christopher Dozoryst, Viola, Cynthia Cameron-Fix, Bassoon , Izumi Amemiya, Oboe, Hillary Hempel, Violin, Emma Potter, Horn, Leanne Kelso, Violin
An Evening of Intimate Chamber Music
Featuring Nine MSO Musicians & Greg Zelek
As the MSO celebrates 100 years this season, it seems only fitting to bring some of my MSO colleagues with me on stage to showcase their talent and our unique pairing. While the organ can be a loud instrument, it can also be used in a softer and more subtle way. With works like Handel’s G minor Organ Concerto and movements from Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and Coleridge-Taylor’s Nonet , this program will demonstrate the versatility and more intimate side of our instrument. I’m also excited that the audience will get a chance to hear many individual orchestral musicians showcased, as they perform some works as soloists with the organ. Sit back, relax, and let this incredible music fill you with joy and peace!
– Greg Zelek
PRESENTING SPONSOR
William Steffenhagen
MAJOR SPONSORS
Peter and Leslie Overton
Judith Werner, in memory of Stephen Caldwell
Condon and Mary Vander Ark
MUSIC
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
Organ Concerto in G minor, HWV 289
SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR
Movements from Nonet
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Movements from Clarinet and Horn Concertos
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Double Concerto
...Emma Potter’s solos left me breathless.
– MSO Subscriber
…Lavine’s solo was grabbing and soulful, sweet in the high registers of the instrument and robust in the low registers.
– The Cap Times
subscriptions & tickets
Are you a renewing subscriber?
You can enter your subscriber ID number online and the form will automatically fill in your information. Renew your subscription by Monday, July 28, 2025, to keep your seats or request a change.
Are you joining us as a new subscriber?
Your order is prioritized based on the date it is received following renewals. You may subscribe to all 4 performances by Friday, September 12, 2025.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
New and renewing subscribers can place subscription orders online and by mail at any time, and by phone or in-person at our office during business hours.
ONLINE: madisonsymphony.org/25-26organ
PHONE: (608) 257-3734
MAIL OR IN-PERSON:
222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 460 Madison, WI 53703
Subscription seating takes place in late summer 2025. Because availability is limited and subscribers have varying priority, we cannot assure your first choice for seating. We will make every effort to accommodate change requests. Renewing and new subscribers will receive confirmation of their order. Subscriber Welcome Kits for people who have renewed or subscribed by August 18, 2025, will arrive before single tickets go on sale September 4, 2025.
YOUR TICKETS, YOUR CHOICE — PHYSICAL OR DIGITAL
You can choose to receive your season tickets package via mail or select our digital option. This solution provides a safe and effortless way to receive, manage, and share your tickets with guests, while significantly reducing the risk of stolen or counterfeit tickets. No more worrying about printing at home, running out of ink, or misplacing your tickets — and no additional apps are required. Simply choose the mail or digital ticket delivery when you place your order. For more information, please visit: madisonsymphony.org/digitaltickets
What are Digital Tickets?
Digital ticketing is a hassle-free, secure, and contactless service that delivers your tickets to your mobile device using dynamic QR codes. These QR codes become active 48 hours before your performance and automatically refresh every 30 seconds. By utilizing dynamic QR codes, Digital Tickets ensure the authenticity of your ticket, minimizing the risk of counterfeit tickets and unauthorized resale.
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE SEPT. 4, 2025
Each season, many new individuals become Friends of the Overture Concert Organ by making gifts of support. Friends’ generosity helps us cover the costs of ticketed and free concerts that so many people in our community enjoy, as well as tuning and maintenance of the instrument.
Memberships start at $35. Friends, at all levels, have access to exclusive benefits and opportunities throughout the season.
Become a Friend
Ticket sales cover less than half of the costs of producing a season. Discover more about Friends of the Overture Concert Organ. Visit: madisonsymphony.org/foco Member benefits are subject to change.
2025-2026 FRIENDS OF THE OVERTURE CONCERT ORGAN
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS & BENEFITS
Benefits are available during the concert season your gift suports
Recognition in organ concert program books
Special member communications
Invitation to Showcasing the Organ events
Invitation to FOCO Annual Meeting
Recognition in MSO program books
Two complimentary beverage vouchers*
Invitation to one organ post-concert reception
Open invitation to all organ post-concert receptions
Private, reserved parking for organ concerts and events*
Invitation to a special member appreciation event
Benefits marked with an asterisk (*) have a fair market value and may reduce the tax-deductibility of your gift.
FRIENDS CHOIR SWELL
Subscriptions Available NOW !
Save 20% off single tickets when you subscribe! If you are a renewing subscriber, reserve your same seats or request a change by Monday, July 28, 2025. The final day to become a new subscriber for all 4 performances is Friday, September 12, 2025.
Single tickets go on sale Thursday, September 4, 2025. Subscribe at madisonsymphony.org/25-26organ
Phone: (608) 257-3734
Mail or in-person:
222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 460 Madison, WI 53703
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