The historic Hartland Music Hall and the Kilgen pipe organ need your help!
Cromaine Library is proud to host a concert and fundraiser event this spring in support of the Kilgen organ, a vital component of musical performances in our community for almost ninety years. Join us at the Music Hall on Friday, May 2 @ 7:00 pm for an evening of music and community connection, as organists Dr. Rose Stevens and Freeman Tucker perform all-time musical classics from gaming, movies, and music. This concert and fundraiser is sure to delight the whole family, all while supporting the preservation of Hartland’s beautiful Kilgen organ!
The Kilgen organ is a unique instrument with a long history as the centerpiece of the Hartland Music Hall. The organ was installed with funding from local businessman and philanthropist, J. Robert Crouse, in an effort to establish Hartland as a world-class music and performance center. The organ was custom-built for the Hall, and every single piece of the pipe organ was made by hand and from original materials. Installation of the organ took three months, and letters between the Kilgen representatives and the Music Minister of the Hartland Area Project reflected an attitude of anticipation and excitement. Since the installation of the organ in the 1930’s, countless performances such as Handel’s Messiah, silent films accompanied by organ music, and other concerts have captivated the Hartland community. The acoustics are near perfect in the Hartland Music Hall, making each and every performance a magical experience for music lovers and history gurus alike. Learn more about pipe organs, and the amazing history of our very own Kilgen organ, by clicking here.
The Kilgen pipe organ is a treasured part of the Hartland community, but needs maintenance and repair to keep it in good working condition. The rear main chest and the main offset chests need to be restored, as well as the bellows and pedal chests. We are just $3,845 short of fully funding the needed repairs, and your attendance at our concert on May 2 helps us secure our fundraising goals! We hope you can attend this special fundraiser concert as we celebrate our Kilgen organ, and raise funds to keep it in fantastic working order! Secure your tickets here.
Can’t make it to the concert, but still want to support the maintenance and preservation of the Kilgen organ? Make a donation here!
Thank you for your generous support of the Kilgen organ and the community that this local gem serves. We can't wait to see you at the concert! Please reach out to Liz Welch at (810) 632 5200 ext. 118 with questions, or to learn about other opportunities to give.