Duke Chapel organist David Arcus calls his audience an almost “cultish” following.
Arcus's music has gained international acclaim—featured on national radio broadcasts and can be found on his CD Organs of Duke Chapel. Not only does regularly play in the Chapel and for Duke Chapel Organ Recital Series, but he has also traveled across the world to places like Great Britain, Germany and France as a solo recitalist.
His next performance is to be held this Friday at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Illinois at 7:30 p.m.
“There is definitely an enthusiastic following of not necessarily me, but the organ,” Arcus said. “I think it may be the mystery and appeal of the organ itself.”
Invited through the American Guild of Organists, a professional organization for organists and choral musicians, Arcus plans to play pieces by Schumann, Dupré and Bach at the Cathedral. In addition to these classical pieces, he plans to play two of his original compositions written in 1987 and 2005, respectively.
“I try to tailor the program to this history of the place, link the composers to my performance,” he said.
Although the organ is often associated with a spiritual connotation, Arcus’ audiences show that the organ is more than just a church choir accompaniment. People of all ages, backgrounds and faiths can be found at his recitals. The allure of the organ is in its art form—the variety, tone, depth and colors that are difficult to find in any other instrument, he said
Arcus began his organ studies when he was 13, after studying the piano, a conventional practice for many organists. After getting his M.Mus. and D.M.A. degrees at the Yale University School of Music, he arrived at Duke in 1984. Starting out as the Chapel organist and staff associate in the music department, Arcus gradually built his career as a recitalist and composer.
He describes the Chapel as more than just a university building but an aggregate with a bigger community and profile. The Duke Chapel is also well-known in the organist circle for its reputable concert organs.
“In spite of the fact that I've traveled in very spectacular places, it's always a pleasure to come back to Duke and call the Chapel my home base,” Arcus said. “It's a real honor.”
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