Rising Star Organist Performs at TAMIU this Sunday
Praised for his creative and friendly programming for his performances, Dr. Christopher Marks is the featured organist at the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Organ Recital Series this Sunday, Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.
Admission is free and open to the public.
The Recital program includes music by Johann Sebastian Bach and by Seth Bingham.
Dr. Marks has been hailed for his “style and assurance” in performance and his interest and skill with historic American instruments has led to four appearances at conventions of the Organ Historical Society. He has also premiered a number of commissioned organ works and has performed with ensembles including the Boston Brass, Ethos Percussion Group and Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra.
His performances have earned him top prizes in competitions, including the Arthur Poister Competition, the San Marino Competition, the Fort Wayne Competition and the Mader Competition.
Marks’ style has been noted by The American Organist as, “Marks played wonderfully… humorously,” and “A sparkling performance.” The Diapason continued, “Marks… played… with great élan. … Marks is a rapidly rising young star… who performed with great style and assurance.”
Currently an assistant professor of organ at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Marks also taught organ and served as university organist at Syracuse University. While he was at Syracuse, his entitled “Discoveries” was made on the historic Walter Holtkamp organ at Syracuse University and features music spanning four centuries that is rarely performed and recorded. His latest recording is “Organ Works of Seth Bingham, Vol. 1 Unto the Hills.”
Marks organized the first-ever Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced in 2008 in Lincoln. He has also participated as a teacher in seven other Pipe Organ Encounters.
He currently serves on the Committee on the New Organist for the American Guild of Organists, on the National Council of the Organ Historical Society, and as Director of the Lincoln Organ Showcase.
The Sharkey-Corrigan Organ is a gift of the E. H. Corrigan Foundation, led by longtime Laredo businessman and passionate supporter of the arts E. H. Corrigan.
For additional information, contact the College of Arts and Sciences, department of fine and performing arts, at 326.2654.
Online calendar information, including information on upcoming fine and performing arts offerings at the University, is available at tamiu.edu/coas/fpa/coe
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