The Spreckels Organ concert.

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It’s rare for anyone to get inside the chest of a pipe organ. But a glimpse of the inside of the great Spreckels Organ in Balboa Park was the highlight of an April brunch to benefit the Spreckels Organ Society. After breakfasting at The Prado restaurant’s Grande Ballroom, event participants strolled down the Prado to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion for a “private” organ concert by former Civic organist Jared Jacobsen, accompanied by an in-depth description of the Spreckels organ by Curator Lyle Blackinton of L.W. Blackinton & Associates that culminated in an actual walk-through of the Spreckels Organ, the largest outdoor organ in America.

Ron DeFields and Randy Ward.

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Who Was There?: Bill Scripps enjoyed the in-depth tour from Assistant Curator Dale Sorenson. Val and Lou Cissell came from Orange County to celebrate a special birthday and ogled at the miniature magic of each tiny organ stop along with Balboa Park volunteer Carol Green and Susan Gregg-Schroeder, founder of Mental Health Ministries. Father and son duo Steve and Alex Alpinieri made the day multi-generational and soloist Pam Arnold arrived as special guest of board member Jack Lasher.

The Cause: The Spreckels Organ Society is devoted to presenting the highest standard of musicality at the centerpiece of Balboa Park, which was a gift from John D. Spreckels in 1915. Celebrating the artistry of organ music as well as the amazing technology that lives on after 95 years, the Spreckels Organ Society offers free concerts year-round as well as educational opportunities as a part of the Fifth Grade in the Park program. The Summer International Organ Festival features celebrated organists from around the world playing each Monday evening from June 21 through August 30, 2010.

The Good Hearted: Jared Jacobsen, Lyle Blackinton and Dale Sorenson were the experts who donated their time to make this program possible. The hardworking committee chaired by Randy Ward of Sea World with Paulette Leahy of Union Bank, Marion Persons, Randy Grabowski, Dale Sorenson of L.W. Blackinton & Associates, Jack Lasher, Ross Porter, Roy Attridge of the San Diego Harmony Ringers and George Hardy orchestrated a picture perfect event that both entertained and informed. The Spreckels Organ Society is especially thankful to Las Patronas and Legler Benbough for the gift of a new organ console which is to be unveiled in the Fall.

The Creative: Lyle Blackinton’s show-and-tell of different elements that comprise the organ’s music-making machinery was complimented by the musical selections of Jared Jacobsen. He featured a different element in each piece, culminating with Charles Ives's magnificent "Variations on 'America' for Organ" that literally pulled out all the stops. Brunch patrons enjoyed seats on the stage, but as with all concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion the public could listen for free. As the group toured inside the air chest and the rest of the organ building, Mr. Jacobsen continued to play so that the action could be observed from within.

Randy Grabowski, Dale Sorenson and

George Hardy.

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Paulette Murphy, Jack Lasher and

Marion Persons.

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Get Involved: Attend a free concert at 2 p.m. any Sunday or volunteer as a docent or greeter and help stage the Summer International Organ Festival between June and August on Monday nights. Donations from members from all over the world help the Spreckels Organ Society preserve San Diego’s historic musical treasure in Balboa Park.