Concert set by Vatican organist

An upcoming concert marks the beginning of a musical exchange between St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and St. Pius X parish in Loudonville.

James Goettsche, the official organist at St. Peter's Basilica, will play a concert at St. Pius on Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. In turn, the St. Pius X choir, conducted by Charles Jones, will sing during a Mass at the Vatican next July when the group makes a pilgrimage to Italy.

Mr. Jones has performed at the Vatican previously. In 1999, he accompanied a New Jersey parish on its visit to St. Peter's and was invited by Mr. Goettsche to play the organ for a morning Mass.

"Any organ in that huge a building doesn't begin to fill" the space, he recalled. "It was a very exciting experience nonetheless."

Mr. Goettsche, a native of Los Angeles who is the first American to serve as organist at the Vatican, has played for papal Masses since 1989. He also performs hundreds of concerts around the world.

The concert by Mr. Goettsche is the first fundraiser for the pilgrimage. Additional fundraisers include a Christmas CD recorded by the choir and a cafe night featuring St. Pius musicians singing Italian songs.

"I really want the choir to have the experience of singing in St. Peter's," Mr. Jones told The Evangelist. "It's just an amazing experience to be in that enormous building -- in the center of Roman Catholic Christianity. We're really looking forward to it."

(Mr. Goettsche will play works by Bach, Franck, Alain and Vierne. Tickets, $15, will be available at the door. A reception will follow. For more information, call 462-1336.)

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