Legendary Jonas Nordwall Performs 20th Anniversary Wurlitzer Concert

Theatre Organ Legend, Jonas Nordwall

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of ARCA’s first theatre organ concert in the fall of 2006 with the performance of Theatre Organ Legend Jonas Nordwall on Sunday, November 9, at 2 PM on the newly restored McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer in Foxburg’s Lincoln Hall. This internationally renowned virtuoso, who has been hailed as “a grand master of the organ”, will inspire and bedazzle ARCA’s theatre organ-loving audience with his venerated artistry in both classical and modern/popular music.

The recipient of rave reviews worldwide for over half a century, Jonas Nordwall has presented concerts and workshops in churches and performing arts centers in Japan, Europe, and China, and has made several tours of Australia. The only American organist to play a solo concert at the famed Sydney Town Hall for an audience of over 2,000, this concert was broadcast throughout the South Pacific by the Australian Broadcasting Company. In 1999, he was both an adjudicator and recitalist for the Swiss International Organ Competition in Geneva.

With over 25 highly acclaimed recordings on many labels, his performances are frequently heard on the internationally syndicated radio show, “Pipedreams”.  His national television broadcasts include NBC’s “Today Show” and ABC’s “Good Morning Australia.”

There is no one better to demonstrate the glorious sound of the newly renovated McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer, including new bass pipes at the back of the hall. Join us to experience the musical and artistic fruits of the labor of ARCA’s organ technician, Jason Wiles, in the hands of this master.

Tickets: Adults $25, ARCA Member Discount $20, Students $5. Buy online at alleghenyriverstone.org or call 724-659-3153 to reserve and pay with cash/check at the door.

As ARCA is nearing the end of its campaign to underwrite the Wurlitzer Restoration project, it is grateful for the generosity of all those who contributed to make it possible. Anyone still wishing to participate may contribute on ARCA’s homepage.

You may meet the Artist after the concert at a Red Brick Gallery wine and cheese reception from 4 to 6 PM for the closing of the Rafi and Klee exhibit, INTERWOVEN: The Art of Growth and Interconnection.

Nordwall is among the most respected theatre organists nationally. His prodigious accomplishments began at a very early age. At the age of 16, Nordwall performed for King Gustav Adolf during a tour of Sweden.  In college, he had the rare opportunity to be the organist at the Paramount and Oriental Theaters in Portland. For many years, he was the Senior Staff Organist for the legendary Organ Grinder Corporation, with large Wurlitzer pipe organs in lavish restaurants in Portland and Denver.

As the organist for the Oregon Symphony Orchestra during the tenure of Maestro James DePriest, Nordwall was a featured soloist for several concerts and has recorded with the orchestra on the Delos label. In 1987, the American Theatre Organ Society named him Organist of the Year and inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2022.  He directs the ATOS Summer Youth Adventure, the ATOS version of the American Guild of Organists Pipe Organ Encounter young organist program.

Nordwall has been a professional church musician since high school. He has served as the organist for Portland’s First United Methodist Church since 1971 and is presently the Artistic Director of Music. There, he oversees one of the finest music ministries in the United States. He has played for many international church gatherings, an accompanist for the American Choral Directors Association conventions, and performed for several regional conventions of the American Guild of Organists. 

in addition to his musical performances, Nordwall has been a major influence in the later 20th-century design and manufacturing of both pipe and electronic organs. He introduced MIDI implementation to the organ world in 1987 at the National Association of Music Merchants Trade Show in Chicago. He was associated with the Rodgers Organ Company for over 30 years and presently is an artist for the Allen Organ Company. 

ARCA is grateful for the long-time, very generous support and sponsorship gift of Kears and Karen Pollock, underwriting this 20th Anniversary celebration of the first Wurlitzer organ concert.

This will be an unforgettable afternoon of pinnacle theatre organ artistry! Join us to experience this extraordinary artist at the newly renovated McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer as we celebrate its 20th Birthday after the concert from 4 to 6 PM in the Red Brick Gallery!