The three-manual Johannus digital organ is dedicated in honor of MacLean’s late wife Jacqueline Ritter MacLean who passed away in April 2023. Photo credit: The MacLean family
The TCU School of Music extends heartfelt thanks to John MacLean for the generous donation of a three-manual Johannus digital organ. This instrument will enhance the performances of the school’s ensembles for years to come.
Director of Bands and Professor of Conducting Bobby R. Francis has invited MacLean and his family to a special debut concert on Monday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Van Cliburn Concert Hall.
“The instrument sounds amazing in the Van Cliburn Concert Hall and I can’t wait to hear it at the concert,” said Francis. “Having this organ allows us to perform repertoire that we could not perform without the expense of a rental. We are very appreciative of this donation and want to thank the family for thinking of TCU’s School of Music.”
Unveiling the Digital Organ
The digital organ will create opportunities for students to perform and collaborate in concerts.
Before the end of the fall semester, Francis walked by the Van Cliburn Concert Hall and heard the sound of an organ playing.
“Knowing that we did not have one, I was curious,” said Francis.
Upon entering the concert hall, he found retired Professor of Organ H. Joseph Butler playing on the digital organ. Afterwards, he went back to his office and John MacLean arrived at his door and introduced himself.
This organ is dedicated in honor of MacLean’s late wife Jacqueline Ritter MacLean who passed away in April 2023.
“She wanted her beloved organ to be somewhere it could be used and appreciated,” explained MacLean. “The TCU School of Music is a nationally recognized, award-winning institution. What better place to dedicate this instrument? We are honored TCU is using it in the Van Cliburn Concert Hall, where our family will be able to enjoy its use for years to come.”
While curating music for the concert, Francis decided to revisit a composition that the TCU Wind Symphony had performed at the Texas Music Educators Association convention just before the pandemic, in front of an audience of several thousand music educators. This piece holds significance as it features a crucial organ part.
“The organ is a valuable addition to the Van Cliburn Concert Hall,” said Butler. “There is a great deal of repertoire for the major ensembles that uses organ and this instrument will make it possible to present these works as they should be heard. It will create opportunities for students to perform and collaborate in concerts.”