Old West Organ Society

08/04/2026

Tonight, Dasha Ovchinnikova plays a program perfectly tailored for the organ at First Lutheran: German Chorale Fantasias by Tunder, Buxtehude, Bruhns, and Bach. We hope to see you there!

07/28/2026

Tonight, our own Chris Porter, most treasured treasurer of the Old West Organ Society, exchanges his spreadsheets and calculator for the beautiful Richards, Fowkes & Co organ at First Lutheran with a program he has entitled Starlight in Summer. Music by Buxtehude, Titelouze, Langlais, and more - Join us!

07/20/2026

Victoria Shorokhova took second prize in the AGO’s National Young Organists Competition in San Francisco 2024. She has traveled all the way from Alabama to come play for us, so we hope that you too will travel from wherever you are to hear her in the air conditioned splendor of First Lutheran tomorrow at 8 pm in works by Bach, Buxtehude, Vivaldi, and more.

07/13/2026

Celebrate Bastille Day with us tomorrow! All French baroque with Christopher Thorpe.

07/06/2026

In case you are wondering why our summer series is happening over at First Lutheran this year, here is a picture of the current situation at Old West. Opus 55 is well protected while the electric work is progressing.

06/29/2026

We are so excited for our summer series, graciously hosted by First Lutheran Church while Old West is getting fresh electricity.

It starts next week, Tuesday 7/7 at 8 pm. Read all about it at

Jul 7 8:00 PM20:00 Summer Series: Stefan Donner Tuesday, July 7, 2026 8:00 PM 9:00 PM 20:00 21:00 First Lutheran Church (map) Google Calendar ICS The 2026 Old West Organ Society Summer Series commences with a performance by Stefan Donner. This season, we are grateful to First Lutheran Church f...

05/26/2026

Rest in Peace, James Busby. James played a big role in having Fisk Opus 55 built for Old West Church when he served as organist here.
You can read that whole story in the comments below.

James Busby
5 October 1944 - 25 May 2026

Dear Friends,

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Dr. James Busby, for 26 years the Organist and Choirmaster of this parish.

Dr. Busby faithfully dedicated himself to the work of this parish for a generation wherein he enlivened the spiritual and musical lives of parishioners and choir members alike. He was a defender and upholder of only the finest in liturgical music. His leadership of the choir and his skill at the organ were marked by reverence, discipline, and grace. Countless musicians benefited from James’s mentorship, both on and off the podium. James’s contribution to music will be long felt and his dedication to his craft not soon forgotten. Simply put, he was a giant of a man and a stalwart advocate of liturgical and musical excellence.

Rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Funeral arrangements are still pending and will be announced separately.

03/17/2026

Don’t miss the Bach birthday festivities at First Lutheran this Saturday!

(In case you hadn’t heard, we have had to postpone our own traditional Bach birthday spring benefit, as Old West Church is sorting out some electrical issues in the building. We are hoping to present Fred Jodry in November instead).

Will you be joining us on Saturday for the Boston Bach Birthday Bash?

First Lutheran Church of Boston and BAGO is co-hosting an all-day musical extravaganza from 9am through 5pm. Suggested donation $25. Stay all-day or pop in for a program or two.

The morning program will include:
9am Jonathan Wessler will present Bach Concerto Transcriptions on the organ
10am Young People's Concert presenting various Bach works
10:40am Savannah Curro on the organ
11:35 Hear the two "new" Bach works plus a Birthday Hymn Sing

Noontime German lunch - Tickets $20/$10 (for sale at the door)