Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ

Thank you to everyone who attended the Cosmic Kotzschmar concert with James Kennerley! It was an unforgettable evening, and we’re so grateful for your support. Special thanks to Headlight Audio Visual and Liz Shapiro for their incredible lighting work.

Get ready for an exciting weekend this October! 🎶 On October 25, James Kennerley will perform a thrilling live organ improvisation for the 1920s silent film The Hunchback of Notre Dame, followed by a performance by Olivier Latry on October 26. Plus, don’t miss our kids Spooktacular Songs and Storytime on the morning of the 26th! Get your tickets at https://porttix.com/partners/the-kotzschmar-organ/

Cosmic Kotzschmar is TONIGHT at 7 PM! 💫🪐Don’t miss this unforgettable musical journey featuring Holst's The Planets, Interstellar, Star Wars, and more, enhanced with stunning space visuals. See you there! Tickets at PortTIX.com

James Kennerley is gearing up for the Cosmic Kotzschmar concert tomorrow, sporting some out-of-this-world space-themed socks from The Sock Shack in Portland! 🚀🌌 Don’t miss the cosmic performance at Merrill Auditorium—grab your tickets now at https://porttix.com/whats-on/cosmic-kotzschmar/ 🎟️✨

Check out Cosmic Kotzschmar in the Forecaster's Arts Calendar! Don't miss James Kennerley performing iconic space-themed music from Interstellar and Star Wars on the mighty Kotzschmar Organ THIS SATURDAY, September 14, at 7 p.m. at Merrill Auditorium. Grab your tickets at PortTIX Box Office

Arts Calendar: Sept. 13-20 Comedy Friday 9/13 Next Stop Comedy: 7 p.m., Root Wild Kombucha, 135 Washington Ave., Portland. $25. nextstopcomedy.com “All Killers”: 9:30 p.m., Empire Comedy Club, 575 Congress St., Portland. $12.88. 21-plus. empirecomedyme.com Saturday 9/14 Jake Johannsen: 9 p.m., Empire Comedy Club, 575 Cong...

THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 at 7 PM! Embark on a celestial journey at Merrill Auditorium as James Kennerley premieres his awe-inspiring transcription of Holst’s The Planets for solo organ. Paired with stunning space visuals by Headlight Audio Visual, this immersive concert will take you to the far reaches of the galaxy. From the thunderous opening of ‘Mars’ to the ethereal beauty of ‘Neptune,’ you’ll experience the full majesty of the Kotzschmar Organ. Don’t miss this cosmic adventure! Get your tickets at https://porttix.com/whats-on/cosmic-kotzschmar/ 🌌

On September 14 at Merrill Auditorium, join James Kennerley as he takes the incredible Kotzschmar Organ on a thrilling journey into outer space. This is more than a concert—it's an unforgettable cosmic adventure you won't want to miss! 🚀🎶

Get your tickets today!
https://porttix.com/whats-on/cosmic-kotzschmar/

Kotzschmar organ ventures into outer space for cosmic show on Sept. 14 Tickets are on sale now for the Merrill Auditorium show featuring municipal organist James Kennerley.

Happy 112th Birthday, Kotzschmar Organ! 🎉 On August 22, 1912, Portland, Maine, was forever changed with the dedication of the new city hall and the unveiling of this magnificent organ. The city’s first organ festival filled the auditorium with awe as Will C. Macfarlane played to packed crowds. Today, James Kennerley continues this legacy as the current municipal organist, keeping the music alive! 🎶✨

Upcoming FOKO events!

Cosmic Kotzschmar - Sept 14, 7 PM! 🚀 Join James Kennerley at Merrill Auditorium for a celestial journey featuring Holst's The Planets, Hans Zimmer's Interstellar suite, John Williams' Star Wars march, and Einaudi’s Experience. Stunning space visuals will make this an unforgettable night. Get your tickets now at https://porttix.com/whats-on/cosmic-kotzschmar/!

Kotzschmar Turns 112! 🎉 Join us on Aug 19 at 2 PM for a special backstage pipes tour. Explore this iconic organ, learn its history, and celebrate with cake! Free and open to the public. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot!

The annual tuning for the Kotzschmar Organ has officially begun! Thanks to our amazing organ curators, David and Nick Wallace, the Kotzschmar Organ will be in prime form for our upcoming Cosmic Kotzschmar concert and the rest of our season! Join us on Saturday, September 14, at 7 pm for Cosmic Kotzschmar! Nick and David took these photos during last year's tuning.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Fiddles and Pipes! We are so grateful to everyone who joined us at Merrill Auditorium for an unforgettable evening with James Kennerley and 317 Main Community Music Center. Thank you for being part of our musical journey and for supporting the rich cultural heritage of Maine. If you were unable to attend or wish to enjoy the concert again from home, you can watch the concert online, starting Saturday, July 20. Available at PortTIX.com!

Photography by Richard Sawyer

🎹🎉 A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for today's Kotzschmar Organ Tour! Your enthusiasm and curiosity made it an unforgettable experience. Stay tuned for more musical adventures!

Limited spots left! Join us on July 8 at 2 PM for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Kotzschmar Organ with municipal organist James Kennerley. Go inside the wind chest and explore the intricate pipe systems. Don't miss this unique opportunity! Reserve your spot today at [email protected].

Join us on July 13th at 7 PM at Merrill Auditorium for "Fiddles and Pipes," featuring artists from 317 Main Community Music Center, alongside James Kennerley. Celebrate Maine’s rich musical heritage with bluegrass, folk, ragtime, Shaker melodies, and English country dances, and enjoy the magic of the Kotzschmar Organ. 🎻🎹✨

Meet Sarah Tuttle, Voice, an inquisitive classical singer and educator committed to sharing music with listeners and students. Starting as a pianist with a passion for music theory, Sarah's love for the human voice led her to a performance career that took her overseas. Sarah will be performing "Simple Gifts" (Joseph Brackett, arr. Aaron Copland), "Wayfaring Stranger" (John Jacob Niles), and "Zion's Walls" (Aaron Copland) with the organ.

With a background in opera and contemporary vocal music, Sarah has performed internationally and premiered new works, earning praise for her engaging stage presence. She gave the world premiere of John Harbison's "Seven Poems of Lorine Niedecker" and was the soprano soloist in the world premiere of Avner Dorman’s "Letters from Gettysburg." She holds degrees from Bard College and Gettysburg College and is active in Maine's music community.

Get your tickets at PortTIX.com! Join us and experience the magic Sarah brings to the stage!

Join us on July 13th at 7 PM at Merrill Auditorium for "Fiddles and Pipes," featuring artists from 317 Main Community Music Center, alongside James Kennerley. Celebrate Maine’s rich musical heritage with bluegrass, folk, ragtime, Shaker melodies, and English country dances, and enjoy the magic of the Kotzschmar Organ.

Meet our talented artists:

Chris Moore: Mandolinist with a background in classical violin and mandolin, founder of Rust Farm, and key figure at 317 Main since 2013.

Benjamin Foss: Multi-instrumentalist and luthier from Brooks, Maine, specializing in fiddle, guitar, and tenor banjo, and dedicated contra dance musician.

Ellen Gawler: Master fiddler with international touring experience, co-founder of Pineland Suzuki School, and director of Pineland Fiddlers.

Diana Hansen: Accomplished vocalist and rhythm guitarist with over 30 years of experience, multiple album releases, and expertise in voice placement and performance strategies.

Tickets available at PortTIX.com.

Join us at Merrill Auditorium on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM for "Fiddles and Pipes," a celebration of Maine's musical heritage! Enjoy the vibrant sounds of the 317 Main Community Music Center guest performers and James Kennerley on the Kotzschmar Organ. Get your tickets at https://porttix.com/whats-on/fiddles-pipes/. This family-friendly concert features a mix of bluegrass, Shaker, and Americana tunes, showcasing both seasoned performers and emerging artists. Don't miss this joyous celebration of music, community, and Maine’s treasured folk traditions!

Let the grand pipes sing in celebration for the maestro of melodies, James Kennerley! 🎶 Here's to another year of organ genius enchanting audiences worldwide. Happy Birthday, James! 🎉✨

Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ is thrilled to announce our 2024-2025 season! Join us for a concert this summer as we celebrate Maine's musical heritage with a collaboration with 317 Main Community Music Center accompanied by the majestic sounds of the Kotzschmar Organ. From there, we'll take you on an out-of-this-world journey featuring Holst's The Planets and Hans Zimmer's Interstellar suite with James Kennerley, followed by spine-chilling Halloween screenings, captivating performances by acclaimed titular organist at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, Olivier LATRY, and heartwarming holiday concerts. Plus, prepare to be enthralled by the breathtaking blend of opera and the Mighty Kotzschmar organ in our grand evening with baritone Philip Lima and the ChoralArt Masterworks with ChoralArt. Don't miss these incredible experiences, each promising an evening of musical enchantment! Tickets are available for each concert now at https://porttix.com/partners/the-kotzschmar-organ/

🌟 A big THANK YOU to all the young organ enthusiasts and families who joined us for our special Backstage Pipes tour today! 🎶 We had a blast with tours, crafts, playing the Orgelkids mini pipe organ, and an interactive lesson on being the best audience member! 🎹 James wowed us with his organ skills, and kids even got to try playing a few notes themselves! 🎵 Your enthusiasm made our day—here's to more musical adventures together! 🎶✨

Check it out!

MaineLife - S9 E13 - Portland Visit Portland's Lynn Tillotson joins host Erin Ovalle to uncover some of Portland's hidden gems.00:00 Intro01:33 Visit Portland02:51 Black Travel Maine04:39...

Join us for a special family-friendly school vacation week Kotzschmar Organ tour with James Kennerley. Email [email protected] to sign up today and don't miss out. Please note that the tour includes stairs, narrow spaces, and heights. By participating, you consent to potential photography and recordings for usage by Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Bach Birthday Bash! Thank you for being part of our celebration in honoring the king of composers on the king of instruments. Cheers to an unforgettable evening with James Kennerley! If you were unable to attend or wish to enjoy the concert again from home, you can watch the Bach Birthday Bash online, starting Friday, March 29. Tickets available at PortTIX Box Office

TONIGHT! Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty and power of Bach's music at the Bach Birthday Bash concert tonight at 7 pm! Don't miss out on this unforgettable musical experience. Get your tickets now at PortTIX.com!

Happy Birthday, Bach! Johann Sebastian Bach was born on this date in 1685. Join us tomorrow for our Bach Birthday Bash, a divine live experience led by James Kennerley on the Kotzschmar Organ. The event will be live at Merrill Auditorium starting at 7 pm. See you tomorrow night!

As the Bach Birthday Bash with James Kennerley approaches, we would like to remind our patrons to protect themselves from ticket scammers. PortTIX Box Office is the only company authorized to sell tickets to shows at Merrill Auditorium. We recognize the frustration ticket buyers experience when seeing tickets for our event being resold on third-party sites at inflated prices, sometimes two, three, or even four times the original cost.
Merrill Auditorium & PortTIX Box Office work diligently to keep tickets out of the hands of these sellers. We encourage you to buy tickets for events at Merrill Auditorium only through PortTIX Box Office - the only authorized seller for tickets at our venue. If you buy tickets from a 3rd party seller, we cannot guarantee their validity.

From PortTIX Box Office website:

PortTIX cannot take responsibility for the validity of tickets purchased from unauthorized agents or other sources. If you do not receive a valid ticket from a 3rd party site, we unfortunately cannot guarantee admission to the event.

PortTIX believes that customers shouldn’t have to pay a marked up price for tickets. It is therefore sometimes necessary to hold tickets at the Box Office for collection on the night of performance. In these circumstances, the ticket buyer will be required to produce the credit/debit card used for the original transaction and/or a valid form of photo ID to pick up their tickets on the night of the show.

PortTIX reserves the right to cancel tickets if we have reason to believe that tickets will be resold on a 3rd party site. We ask all customers to adhere to published ticket limits. Persons who exceed the ticket limit may have any or all of their orders cancelled without notice.

If your sweetie loves music, give the gift of music this Valentine's Day, with tickets to the Bach Birthday Bash on March 22! James Kennerley is preparing a wonderful concert to celebrate Bach's birthday on March 22 at 7 pm, and we'd love to have you join us! Show your appreciation for your loved one with an unforgettable musical experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression. We hope you and your valentine join us on March 22 for the Bach Birthday Bash at 7 pm! Tickets at PortTIX.com!

Meet FOKO's New Staff Member! Ashley O'Brien, Executive Director. Ashley is a seasoned strategic planning, brand development, and operational optimization professional with over 15 years of experience at multinational corporations like Morgan Stanley, Ann Inc., and Pernod Ricard. Ashley also brings over a decade of nonprofit board leadership experience at organizations such as New York Choral Society, HeathCorps, and Wellesley College Alumnae Leadership Council. She is an amateur, but life-long classically trained vocalist and French horn player, performing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, Heinz Auditorium, and Boston Symphony Hall with soloists like Renee Flemming, Ailyn Perez, Andrea Bocelli, Kelly O’Hara, and Bryn Terfel. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College, where she majored in Economics and minored in Women Studies, and resides in Kennebunk, ME with her husband and daughter. Ashley is thrilled to join FOKO’s leadership and is committed to preserving and celebrating the incredible Kotzschmar Organ and supporting the expansion of arts and culture in Maine.