11.4.18 ORGAN CONCERT

JEREMY KIOLBASSA explores the organ works of composers that are Polish or of Polish descent. As you might have guessed by his last name, Jeremy is of Polish-American heritage. The Kiolbassa family first arrived in the U.S. in the early 1800s in Panna Maria, TX. The most interesting and notable member of the family from this time period is Peter Kiolbassa, who, after the American Civil War, moved to Chicago and became city treasurer. Peter was also an advocate for Polish-Catholic immigrants and helped to bring the first Polish-speaking priest to Chicago. He helped found Chicago’s first Polish parish, St. Stanislaus Kostka, and was the church’s first organist. It is his family’s heritage that has inspired Jeremy to explore this music and present this concert series.