Valerie Harris will present an organ concert 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 13724 W. Meeker Blvd. Her theme is “How the West Was Won,” featuring organ recitals in the Golden Age of rail travel.

Between 1870s and 1920s, railroads, tourism bureaus and media organizations worked to create promotional materials that would lure travelers west on the rails. Alongside the natural wonders like Yellowstone and Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and the Great Salt Lake, was a cultural offering that may come as a surprise today: organ recitals.

During the busy rail travel season, daily visitors to Tabernacle organ recitals in Salt Lake City numbered in the hundreds, sometimes in the thousands. The free recitals were first given at times that coincided with the rail schedules, and then the rail schedules were modified to coordinate with the regular scheme of daily recitals. Dignitaries from throughout the country and around the world included Paderewski, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Buffalo Bill and William Howard Taft. Other cities also had organ recitals.

Harris graduated with her doctorate in organ from Arizona State University and did her dissertation on this topic. She serves as dean of the Central AZ American Guild of Organists, has a large teaching studio and is chair of the East Valley Music Teachers. No tickets needed. Suggested donation $10.

Call 623-584-2000 for more information.