Campus Ministry hosted Fordham University’s 10th annual All Hallows Eve Concert in the University Church last week. Guest organist Anthony Rispo performed Halloween pieces at an organ concert, as per Fordham tradition. Rispo began his organ career in the early 2000s and is currently the Organist and Music Director at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Mount Kisco, Westchester County. 

In addition to performing annually at Fordham, Rispo has also performed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Cadet Chapel at the United States Military Academy (West Point). He also doubles as a research intern for the New York Psychiatric Institute and is pursuing an undergraduate degree in neuroscience at Columbia University. 

Approximately 75 attendees were present at the affair, including students, faculty, staff and Fr. Philip Judge, S.J., executive director of Campus Ministry. The church was decorated prior by Campus Ministry staff, with lights placed at the organ near the ambo. Ghost figurines were also placed throughout the church. 

Rather than play from a set list of songs, Rispo noted how he likes to mix things up. “I usually like to improvise on themes,” he said. “I create some music on the spot.” Both slow and fast-paced songs were featured at the concert, which included church bells in addition to the organ. The lights were dimmed to draw attention to the sound of the music. 

A variety of tunes were featured, some quicker and more involved than others, including the “Pièce Héroique” by César Franck. “It was one of his more rambunctious, somber pieces,” said Rispo. “It has that ‘going into battle’ sound, using different aspects of the organ, an extremely poetic piece of music. His works are like listening to poetry.” This piece started off mellow, dramatically increasing and decreasing at different frequencies and points throughout. Being set in the University Church, the music remained reverent, and only instruments commonly found in the church were used. 

Early organists appreciated the church or cathedral setting, citing that the organ largely lives in churches and cathedrals. “Many of the composers for the organ played at cathedrals throughout the 19th and 20th century, which created such an incredible sound tapestry for the organ to live in,” said Rispo. Some pieces he played were inspired by composers such as Louis Vierne, a French composer and organist in the Cathedral of Notre Dame until the late 1930s. Vierne died at the organ bench while performing on June 2, 1937. 

“The concert is meant to be entertaining and an opportunity for students to hear the many varied sounds of the organ, from its most quiet notes to its fiery, thrilling full organ grandeur,” said Robert Minotti, Fordham’s director of liturgical music. Minotti joined the Campus Ministry department in 1990 and serves as the first full-time director of liturgical music. “The first concert was held in 2015. Our intent is to attract students to hear the organ outside of a church service or formal concert,” said Minotti. 

“The current instrument was installed in 2012,” said Minotti. “It is considered one of the finest pipe organs in New York City. The organ was built by the Schoenstein Organ Company in California. It was built in California, then dismantled, shipped to Fordham and installed in the church… It consists of 2,700 pipes.”

Judge also voiced his opinion on the event. “It was very enjoyable and a great chance to hear the range of sounds an orchestral organ can make,” said Judge. “Fordham is blessed to have such a virtuoso instrument.” This was Judge’s first time attending Fordham’s All Hallows Eve Concert, being his first year in Fordham’s Campus Ministry department.