As dazzling as the early autumn colors are in the beautiful Allegheny-Clarion River valley is the glorious kaleidoscope of sounds from the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer Theater organ in Foxburg’s Lincoln Hall – one of only 300 in the world from the ten thousand built between 1910 and 1940.
Plan your trip to the Wilds of Pennsylvania to experience both in all their splendor on Sunday, October 1 for the return of the acclaimed, young organist and recipient of the American Theatre Organ Society 2021 Organist of the Year award, BRETT VALLIANT performing FROM BACH TO BACHARACH! at 2 PM in Lincoln Hall in Foxburg, PA.
ARCA is grateful for the generous gift of Dr. Charles and Susan Sutherland sponsoring the return of Brett Valliant to the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer.
Brett Valliant brings to his performances both virtuosity and lyrical, emotional power – and will take us on an excursion of melodic favorites from the classics including BACH to classic rock, ragtime, great marches, and, of course, music of the theater including BACHARACH! One of two resident organists at the famed and iconic Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, Arizona, boasting the world’s largest theatre organ, Brett entertains thousands of patrons each year. Imagine finding yourself in your favorite pizza shop and being entertained by an amazing artist on a theatre organ! Curious? Visit organstoppizza.com to learn more or view Brett in action at Organ Stop Pizza in a YouTube video.
Acclaimed for his performances, Brett has toured extensively as a concert artist throughout the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. He also is known for accompanying and scoring silent films and appears annually at several film festivals.
In addition to regular appearances at American Theatre Organ Society and American Guild of Organists conventions, Brett for 21 years was the organist and music director of First United Methodist Church of Wichita, Kansas, where he played a large pipe organ seen and heard by thousands in the Midwest on the church’s television program. He has also been the Artist-In-Residence for the Wichita Wurlitzer – the former New York Paramount Wurlitzer organ now housed in Wichita – on which he often performs.
Tickets are Adults $25, ARCA Members $20, Students $5 and may be purchased at alleghenyriverstone.org or reserved by calling 724-659-3153 to pay with cash or check at the door.
After the performance, attend a wine and cheese reception at the Red Brick Gallery where you can meet Brett and enjoy the opening of an exhibit of paintings by Geoff Dunn, whose stunning Western Pennsylvania landscapes are inspired by the land and waters protected by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, where he serves as Vice Chair of the Board.
Brett Valliant is an organist enjoying opportunities to play the music he loves on the instrument he loves. Whether at an organ in a concert hall, a majestic church organ, or a mighty Wurlitzer in a theatre, Brett is right at home.
He was inspired by hearing the organ at church when he was just three years old. At age 4 he began piano instruction and soon after was also studying organ. By the age of 12 Brett was employed as a church organist, having held onto the dream he had from an early age. By age 19, he had performed his first international concert tour.
Brett studied organ at Wichita State University as well as in private instruction. His recordings have been featured on National Public Radio’s Pipe Dreams as well as the National Bible Broadcasting Network.
In his free time Brett enjoys sailing, roller and ice skating, cooking, mid-century collection, and playing the piano and accordion.
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