Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year Organ Recital: Vicki Lundberg Gornick

The Finger Lakes Finns has presented a variety of musical programs open to the general public over the years. This year, on November 28, at 7:30 pm, the Finger Lakes Finns presented a concert unique in our experience: An organ recital, featuring Vicki Lundberg Gornick of Chisholm, Minn., on the fine Helmuth Wolff pipe organ of the First Unitarian Church in Ithaca.

Ms. Gornick, a professional organist, choir director, accompanist, and instructor, was selected as the Performer of the Year, 2000 by the Finlandia Foundation. In that capacity, she had her first Performer of the Year concert at the Finn Grand Fest in Toronto in July, 2000 and since has travelled all over the United States to give concerts at the invitation primarily of Finnish-American societies.

She majored in music at the University of Minnesota/Duluth and has continued further studies in choral directing, piano, and organ. In 1998 and again in 1999, she studied with Eero Annala, organ instructor of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

Her concert featured the organ works of many Finnish composers as well as some works from the standard classical organ repertoire.

Her recital was followed by a reception with refreshments in the church parlor.