Sikes Fine Arts Series begins with renowned organ virtuoso

By Kelley M. Arnold

Interim Director of Marketing

Diane Bish

MOUNT VERNON—Diane Bish, renowned organ virtuoso and host of “The Joy of Music” television series returns to Brewton-Parker College for a solo recital on the impressive 3-manual, 41-rank Schantz Organ in Saliba Chapel on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m.

Diane Bish has displayed her dazzling virtuosity and unique showmanship the world over.  Critics have hailed her performances as stunning, virtuoso, fiery, and astonishing.  Through numerous recordings, concerts and weekly television appearances, Diane Bish is the most visible organist in the world today. 

Miss Bish is best known as the host of the international television series, The Joy of Music.  The program is available to over 300 million viewers weekly and features Miss Bish playing famous organs in solo and with other classical musicians in cathedrals, churches and concert halls from around the world.  The Joy of Music is broadcast on several cable networks such as Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), FamilyNet and VisionTV in Canada. 

“Her playing is virtuosic and solidly musical…she blasted the crowd out of its pews in a whooping standing ovation.” (The Boston Globe)  Known for her ability to rouse audiences like no other organist can, Miss Bish’s performances have received rave reviews in the United States and abroad.  She is an internationally acclaimed musician with many honors including the National Citation from The National Federation of Music Clubs of America (1989).  Miss Bish was the first organist to receive this award for “the highest honor for distinguished service to the musical, artistic, and cultural life of the nation."  She shares this rare distinction with such legends as Leonard Bernstein, Eugene Ormandy, Van Cliburn, Robert Shaw, and Irving Berlin.

Miss Bish will play a program of exciting and beloved organ favorites and original hymn arrangements on the 3-manual, 41-rank Schantz Pipe Organ in Saliba Chapel to begin the concert series season of Brewton-Parker College.  Miss Bish’s celebrity and acclaimed technical skill as an organist attract unusually large audiences to concert halls, churches and cathedrals for her organ recitals that are fun and interesting for audiences of all musical tastes and ages.

For additional information for this free concert, please contact Dr. Pierce Dickens at 912-583-3133 or visit www.bpc.edu. This concert is part of Brewton-Parker College’s Sikes Fine Arts Music Series. Saliba Chapel is located on BPC’s main campus in Mount Vernon.  Miss Bish is available for radio, television and newspaper interviews by calling Janet Jarriel at 478-742-1162 or emailing janet@jejartists.com.

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