Organist Dongho Lee will perform on Sunday, November 18 as part of the November Organ Recital Series. Get to know the artist-in-residence at Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC and director of Music Ministries and organist at First Presbyterian Church in Belmont, NC ahead of her performance.

Q: What inspired you to become an organist?

A: What inspired me to become an organist is what inspires many to do so: the power of the instrument in the building. Nothing else (except maybe an earthquake) can shake a building to its core in a way that the congregation (or audience) can feel. I loved the way I could feel the building move when the instrument roared. I also loved its more tender moments. There’s a range of expression that few instruments can achieve. 

Q: What do you look forward to the most whenever you sit at an organ for the first time?

A: What I look forward to most at a new (to me) organ is the ability to get to know it: to listen to individual stops, to get to know its sonic character, both individually and as a whole. Every organ is different, and it’s fun to find what makes each instrument unique.

Q: What sounds to do look forward to hearing played on our Dobson?

A: I’ve heard so many good things about this instrument, and it’s my first experience playing a larger Dobson instrument. I’m really curious to see how it handles a variety of repertoire spanning three centuries as well as  the marriage between this particular building and instrument. 

Hear Dongho perform Sunday at 4 pm. The event is free and open to the public.