Broadway Baptist marks 30 years of its Cliburn Organ with free concerts

For 30 years, the Rildia Bee O'Bryan Cliburn Organ has filled Broadway Baptist Church with sound. This fall, the Near Southside church is celebrating the instrument with a series of free events open to the public. The organ is named for the mother of famed pianist Van Cliburn.

The celebration began Sept. 27 with a Hymn Festival. Several families came out for the evening, among them Kenyon and Dorothy Smith, who had been looking for ways to share with their children the music that matters to their family history and Christian faith. They sat in pews near the front as the music poured from the organ's metal pipes.

Two more free events are coming up. On Oct. 16, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., the church hosts "Organ & Orchestra: Symphonic Power Meets Organ Brilliance." The concert features organist Chelsea Chen, conductor Harris Han and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. According to the event listing, no tickets are required, seating is general and doors open at 6:45 p.m. The organ includes a Bombarde division built specifically for playing alongside an orchestra. On Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m., Broadway Baptist will present a solo recital titled "One Performer, An Entire World of Sound." Both events take place at the church, 305 W. Broadway Ave.

Bradley Reznicek, the church's organist, rehearsed on the instrument in September ahead of the anniversary. Congregant Roseann Harris helped launch InspireArts in 2022 to bring the organ to more people in the community. The group operates under the church's nonprofit. It raises money to maintain the organ, host concerts and create educational programming for students.

This story is based on original reporting by the Fort Worth Report, with event details from Fort Worth Magazine (fwtx.com).