Sunday Music Series...Wendy Markosky, organ

Organist crosses border to spread feast

When Wendy Markosky plays an organ recital in the Pioneer Memorial Church sanctuary on November 13, she completes an artistic-exchange circuit that opened a few years ago. She is a Canadian, and she and Kenneth Logan, professor of music and University organist at Andrews University, are sharing an across-the-border exchange, Logan’s organ-performance portion having been completed at Markosky’s Canadian university in 2014.

Markosky’s recital, titled “Feasting Abundantly,” is on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. in Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University. This event is free and open to the public.

“Given the exchange element, it may be no great surprise that she will play selections of both Canadian and American organ music—and an intriguing lot they are,” says Logan. “However, she also will explore the richness of European organ music, playing music by Czech, French and German composers.”

Of course, such a mix should be right at home at Andrews University, recognized as an exceptionally-diverse university hosting many persons of many nationalities.

Markosky completed her Doctor of Music degree in organ from Indiana University–Bloomington, which has one of the major music schools in the United States. She joined the faculty of Burman University (then Canadian University College) in Alberta in 1996. Her keyboard background is in harpsichord and carillon in addition to organ. Markosky performs regularly in musical ensembles in central Alberta, including as organist/harpsichordist for a local symphony orchestra.

But it is as a solo organist that she, in recital on Nov. 13, explores music across a time range from the 1700s to the 1990s. Markosky opens with a set of variations on the Christmas carol “In Dulci Jubilo,” and closes with variations on another Christmas carol, “Good King Wenceslas.” Among the highlights in-between are César Franck’s “Heroic Piece” with its towering climax, Dan Locklair’s evocative and sparse “Rubrics,” and Olivier Messiaen’s lushly contemplative “The Celestial Banquet.”

“The multi-course, delicious banquet that Dr. Markosky will host for her listener-guests will be spread on the table of the organ of Pioneer Memorial Church,” remarks Logan.

The core of the organ was dedicated 50 years ago, in March 1966. The organ has 78 pipe ranks and 6 digital pedal voices. It is heard frequently in the local area on WAUS-90.7 FM radio and WHME-46 TV.

“In this American Thanksgiving season, why not feast abundantly from an engaging menu of inspiring organ music?” Logan queries.

Markosky’s recital is sponsored by 90.7 FM (WAUS), Howard Performing Arts Center and Andrews University, and is part of the Sunday Music Series.

For a full calendar of events at the Howard Performing Arts Center, visit howard.andrews.edu.

Related Links

• Howard Performing Arts Center full list of events
• Pioneer Memorial Church (on the campus of Andrews University)
• More about the organ in Pioneer Memorial Church
• Department of Music at Andrews University
• What is a harpsichord?
• What is a carillon?
• Burman University