Dr. Carol Williams Civic Organist of San Diego, California
Jeannine: When did you begin your work as the San Diego Civic Organist?
Dr. Williams: I began my work on October 21, 2001 – nearly nine years ago.
Jeannine: What was the catalyst that helped you decide on this unique career path?
Dr. Williams: I was finishing my DMA at Manhattan School of Music when I saw an ad in the Diapason for the position of Civic Organist. The position looked so appealing because playing concerts—not being involved in church work—was what I had always wanted to do. I love the repertoire for the organ and I love playing so it seemed a good fit for me. I applied for the position and was asked to come to San Diego to audition. I played a concert which included music from Bach to the Beatles and was offered the position of Civic Organist and Artistic Director of the Spreckels Organ Society.
Jeannine: I believe there are now only two Civic Organists in the entire US—San Diego and Portland, Maine—and that you are the first woman to hold the position of Civic Organist. What exactly is the job description of the San Diego Civic Organist?
Dr. Williams: The position of the San Diego Civic Organist requires that I perform weekly concerts every Sunday afternoon at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. Since 1917, there have been free weekly organ concerts at the Pavilion, so it is quite a tradition in San Diego. Many in the audience each Sunday afternoon are tourists, but there is a strong local following as well.
I have to play music that gets through to the crowd quickly since this is an outdoor pavilion and people can come and go as they please. I want people to hear the grandeur of the Spreckels organ. I do perform for other formal functions at the Pavilion, but mainly my job is to entertain every Sunday afternoon at the free concerts. A few years ago, Christmas was on a Sunday and we had our usual 2 p.m. concert. Amazingly, I played for over 1,200 people that afternoon!
Jeannine: You are also the Artistic Director of the Spreckels Organ Society. What are your responsibilities in this role?
Dr. Williams: The city of San Diego owns the organ, but it is the Society that promotes the organ. We present eleven Summer Organ Concerts where we have between 2,500 and 4,000 people in attendance.
Jeannine: I recently performed on the civic organ in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Are there any other civic organs besides those in Chattanooga, Portland, and San Diego?
Dr. Williams: One hundred years ago, there were major organs in many town halls. Community leaders wanted to provide a place for people to hear and enjoy great music, so organs were very popular. Unfortunately, with the advent of the radio then the television, the popularity of the organ died out and many of these wonderful instruments were destroyed or fell into disrepair. The three you mentioned are the only remaining civic organs.
Jeannine: Please describe the unique instrument on which you perform at the Spreckels Pavilion. Doesn't it hold the distinction of being a "one-of-a-kind"?
Dr. Williams: Yes, the Spreckels Organ is the largest outdoor organ in the Western Hemisphere. It is a 73 rank organ built by the Austin Company in 1914 for the Panama-California Exposition.
Jeannine: Would you care to share a favorite Civic Organist story with us?
Dr. Williams: I love animals and one Sunday a year we have a fundraiser for the San Diego Humane Society. During my concert on that Sunday, we invite people to bring their dogs for a dog parade. Last year over 2,000 people and 1,000 dogs dressed in all manner participated. It is always quite the show!
Jeannine: Reading your profile page on your website, I see that your ambition is "to bring the organ to new audiences and with my performances, make people feel good." How are you achieving your goal?
Dr. Williams: There is a lot of negativity surrounding the organ. Organists are playing stuff people really don't want to hear. I believe that has to change. I am constantly learning new music from Bach to the Beatles and the Spreckels organ is a very versatile instrument where I can perform all types of music. This organ is for the community and I want people to enjoy it!
Jeannine: Dr. Williams can also be heard on her new radio show on XLNC1 in the San Diego area or you can listen on the web at . Carol also hosts a video series named “TourBus” featuring the great and small organs of the world, its music, people and places.
Jeannine: When did you begin your work as the San Diego Civic Organist?
Dr. Williams: I began my work on October 21, 2001 – nearly nine years ago.
Jeannine: What was the catalyst that helped you decide on this unique career path?
Dr. Williams: I was finishing my DMA at Manhattan School of Music when I saw an ad in the Diapason for the position of Civic Organist. The position looked so appealing because playing concerts—not being involved in church work—was what I had always wanted to do. I love the repertoire for the organ and I love playing so it seemed a good fit for me. I applied for the position and was asked to come to San Diego to audition. I played a concert which included music from Bach to the Beatles and was offered the position of Civic Organist and Artistic Director of the Spreckels Organ Society.
Jeannine: I believe there are now only two Civic Organists in the entire US—San Diego and Portland, Maine—and that you are the first woman to hold the position of Civic Organist. What exactly is the job description of the San Diego Civic Organist?
Dr. Williams: The position of the San Diego Civic Organist requires that I perform weekly concerts every Sunday afternoon at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. Since 1917, there have been free weekly organ concerts at the Pavilion, so it is quite a tradition in San Diego. Many in the audience each Sunday afternoon are tourists, but there is a strong local following as well.
I have to play music that gets through to the crowd quickly since this is an outdoor pavilion and people can come and go as they please. I want people to hear the grandeur of the Spreckels organ. I do perform for other formal functions at the Pavilion, but mainly my job is to entertain every Sunday afternoon at the free concerts. A few years ago, Christmas was on a Sunday and we had our usual 2 p.m. concert. Amazingly, I played for over 1,200 people that afternoon!
Jeannine: You are also the Artistic Director of the Spreckels Organ Society. What are your responsibilities in this role?
Dr. Williams: The city of San Diego owns the organ, but it is the Society that promotes the organ. We present eleven Summer Organ Concerts where we have between 2,500 and 4,000 people in attendance.
Jeannine: I recently performed on the civic organ in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Are there any other civic organs besides those in Chattanooga, Portland, and San Diego?
Dr. Williams: One hundred years ago, there were major organs in many town halls. Community leaders wanted to provide a place for people to hear and enjoy great music, so organs were very popular. Unfortunately, with the advent of the radio then the television, the popularity of the organ died out and many of these wonderful instruments were destroyed or fell into disrepair. The three you mentioned are the only remaining civic organs.
Jeannine: Please describe the unique instrument on which you perform at the Spreckels Pavilion. Doesn't it hold the distinction of being a "one-of-a-kind"?
Dr. Williams: Yes, the Spreckels Organ is the largest outdoor organ in the Western Hemisphere. It is a 73 rank organ built by the Austin Company in 1914 for the Panama-California Exposition.
Jeannine: Would you care to share a favorite Civic Organist story with us?
Dr. Williams: I love animals and one Sunday a year we have a fundraiser for the San Diego Humane Society. During my concert on that Sunday, we invite people to bring their dogs for a dog parade. Last year over 2,000 people and 1,000 dogs dressed in all manner participated. It is always quite the show!
Jeannine: Reading your profile page on your website, I see that your ambition is "to bring the organ to new audiences and with my performances, make people feel good." How are you achieving your goal?
Dr. Williams: There is a lot of negativity surrounding the organ. Organists are playing stuff people really don't want to hear. I believe that has to change. I am constantly learning new music from Bach to the Beatles and the Spreckels organ is a very versatile instrument where I can perform all types of music. This organ is for the community and I want people to enjoy it!
Jeannine: Dr. Williams can also be heard on her new radio show on XLNC1 in the San Diego area or you can listen on the web at . Carol also hosts a video series named “TourBus” featuring the great and small organs of the world, its music, people and places.