IOHIO Activities

ACCOMPANYING THE LITURGY WITH THE HISTORIC PIPE ORGANS

The original purpose of the organ was to support the liturgy with music and thus elevate the spirit of the worshippers. Yet incorporating the pipe organs into the mass proved to be our greatest challenge. 

Specialists in historic instruments were eager to come to Oaxaca to play the recently restored organs. However, local organists, accustomed to playing the mass on modern instruments, were reluctant to play unfamiliar, mechanical action organs, since their distinctive characteristics –the short octave, 45-note keyboard, lower pitch, lack of pedals, and meantone tuning—restricted the organists’ musical options. 

A telling example is a wedding mass in Tlacochahuaya in which an organist was contracted to play the renowned historic organ for a wedding. Unbeknownst to the bride’s family, the organist brought along his own portable electronic keyboard, set it up in the choir loft, and proceeded to play the wedding music. Unfortunately, he did not know that a video was made of the event.

Years later, our hope has become a reality. Nearly every Sunday the mass may be heard, accompanied by a pipe organ, in at least one Oaxaca church. Oaxacans as well as non-local people often request the use of the historic rather than the modern organ to accompany their private masses –baptisms, weddings, funerals, quinceaños, and community celebrations. Although the IOHIO maintains the organs, their steady use attests to the interest and support of the priests.

Isaí Guzmán, Cicely Winter, Margarita Ricárdez, Jorge Moguel, Joel Vásquez (not pictured Jesús González)

ORGAN CONCERTS

Since 2000 the IOHIO has presented hundreds of concerts. We can now count on a strong group of local organists for performances, so our concerts are usually shared. Because of the advanced capabilities of former students, lessons have been replaced with occasional coaching before concerts. We love to play and enjoy the group experience. (See Audio/Visual, YouTube, Facebook)

TECHNICAL WORK 

After more than 500 field trips over the course of 23 years, all 71 organs in the state have been properly cleaned, conserved, and documented. Our current challenge is to publish this wealth of information. We continue to maintain—fumigate, tune, and adjust—seven of the eleven functioning organs. (See Protection, Conservation) 

The end of a day’s work in San Melchor Betaza, 2022

Cleaning the organ in Huayapam

Injecting woodworm treatment in Tlacolula

Photographing the table organ in Coixtlahuaca

Positioning a façade pipe in Alotepec


BIANNUAL ORGAN FESTIVALS

The IOHIO Festivals are unique in offering concerts on restored organs (the musical aspect), as well as field trips to see unrestored organs in the villages (the technical and anthropological aspect). Fourteen Festivals presented from 2001-2023 have highlighted our work to hundreds of music lovers and Oaxacaphiles. 

Festival participants have heard glorious organ music played by acclaimed national and international organists and witnessed packed churches and the excited response of the audience.

Concert in the Basilica de la Soledad during the 14th Organ Festival 2023

Juan María Pedrero

Cicely Winter, Valentín Hernández

Faustino Díaz, Víctor Contreras

Kimberly Marshall

Participants have seen unrestored organs in outlying communities and noted the local appreciation for our efforts to conserve their heritage.

They have admired exhibits of rare books and manuscripts related to festival themes in the Francisco de Burgoa Library.

María Isabel Grañen Porrúa, director of the Burgoa Library

Dozens of students from Mexico and the U.S. have received scholarships to participate in the festival activities, which have often included master classes by renowned organists. (See Festivals)

Master class with Guy Bovet (Switzerland), 2010

Master class with Luigi Ferdinando Taglivini (Italy), 2009


ONGOING PROMOTION AND COMMUNICATION

  • Cicely Winter manages the communication with local authorities, priests, the INAH, and our donors. She organizes concerts, festivals, tours, Power Point presentations, and creates the content of this website. 

  • Isaí Guzmán promotes the IOHIO’s activities through radio and television interviews and our social media platforms -- Facebook, Instagram and YouTube -- which he created and manages. Together they account for more than 8600 followers. 

  • Joel Vásquez records our concerts, edits the videos for our YouTube channel, and helps with the IOHIO website.

  • Fidel Ugarte, photographer, has accompanied us on our field trips and documented all 72 organs in detail for our website and upcoming catalog. 

  • David Furniss, organist and part time Oaxaca resident, promotes the IOHIO in the foreign community in Oaxaca.
    (See Collaborators)