September 08, 2004

Renowned organist to perform at Shryock

by Paula M. Davenport

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The organist who entertains shoppers at an upscale Pennsylvania department store will perform a free concert this month at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Peter Richard Conte, a concert and recording artist who brings the world-famous 29,000-pipe Wanamaker pipe organ to life at Lord & Taylor's Grand Court in Philadelphia, is the featured performer in a Distinguished Organ Recital Series at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, in Shryock Auditorium.

Talented organist Marianne Webb and David N. Bateman sponsor the series, featuring the beautiful Reuter pipe organ named in Webb's honor.

A pre-concert buffet dinner is set for 5:30-7 p.m. in the Student Center's ballrooms. Dinner will cost $13.50. Reservations are due by noon, Wednesday, Sept. 15, by calling 618/453-2466.

Critics rave about Conte's skill, citing his "bravura style and dexterous grace."

Lynn Trapp, the series' principal artistic director, will give an informal presentation on the artist, the concert program and the Wanamaker organ during the dinner.

On the menu are fall fruit salad, New Orleans pork tenderloin, shrimp scampi, couscous, fresh lemon and garlic spinach, dinner rolls, lemon chiffon cake, coffee and hot and iced tea.

Leading in creative activities is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence through Commitment, a blueprint for the University's development as it moves toward its 150th birthday in 2019.