The Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival Hartford, in residence at Trinity College since 2016, sponsors one of North America’s top competitions for young organists. This year’s Festival Concert brings the Hartford Symphony back to Trinity College, Carolyn Kuan conducting, to perform again with internationally renowned concert organist, Christopher Houlihan. The forces of the Hartford Symphony, paired with the thrilling Austin pipe organ in Trinity College’s neo-Gothic Chapel, makes for an unforgettable sonic experience. The program begins with a rapturous fantasia by Vaughan Williams, inspired by the music of English renaissance composer and organist, Thomas Tallis. Christopher Houlihan joins with the orchestra to perform Howard Hanson’s lyrical organ concerto and Alexandre Guilmant’s fiery First Symphony—a conclusion featuring musical fireworks for the organist’s hands and feet.

Looking for more organ music? The ASOFH Young Professional Competition takes place Saturday, September 21, starting at 10 AM. Three finalists each present a 45-minute solo recital, competing for $29,000 in prizes. Free and open to the public.