Internationally renowned Dutch organist Jacques van Oortmerssen will present the final concert of the 2008-2009 Music at Wye series on Sunday, May 17th at 3 p.m. at Old Wye Church in Wye Mills.

Noted for his versatility and for his performances of J.S. Bach, Mr. Van Oortmerssen enjoys a reputation both as a soloist and a teacher. Appointed Professor of Organ at the Amsterdam Conservatory at the remarkably young age of 29, he has also been visiting professor of organ at the Universities of Gothenburg, Helsinki, Oxford, and the Conservatory of Lyon. In addition to performances throughout Europe, North and South America, Africa, Japan, and South Korea, Mr. Van Oortmerssen has been heard on both radio and television and featured on more than 50 CDs. He is currently under contract to Challenge Classics for whom he is recording the complete Bach organ works.

For his 70-minute program at Old Wye, Mr. Van Oortmerssen will perform works by Handel, an anonymous 17th century Dutch composer, Sweelinck, Walther, Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn, and his own improvisation. He will be playing on the Walker Tracker Pipe Organ, an English-made 423-pipe organ specially commissioned for the church. With its barrel ceiling, Old Wye is noted for its fine acoustics. The church has stood in the same location in Wye Mills since 1721. It was fully restored to its original appearance in the late 1940s, using the detailed descriptions of the Church found in the 1723 Vestry records.

Tickets may be purchased for $15.00 at the door and proceeds help support the Wye Parish Music Program. Concert goers are invited to meet Mr. Van Oortmerssen at a tea reception following the program.

The Church is located at 14114 Old Wye Mills Road (Route 662). More information about Jacques van Oortmerssen is available on his website, www.oortmerssen.com .