Retired organist takes on Bach chorales

Katherine Crosier, retired organist for the Lutheran Church of Hono­lulu, will perform “Bach’s Great Eighteen Chorales for Organ” in two parts at 2 p.m. Aug. 18 and 25. Both concerts will be held at the church, 1730 Punahou St.

Crosier, who is going blind from macular degeneration, chose to perform Bach’s epic work not only for the challenge, but because he composed his celebrated masterpiece by dictation while he was blind and dying, she said. These will be her first solo recitals in 28 years after retiring as the Lutheran Church’s organist, a post she held for almost 35 years.

She will be accompanied by the Bach Chamber Choir, under the direction of husband Carl Crosier, retired music director of the church. Tickets are $35, $20 for a single concert and $5 for students. They are available at the door, at www.ago­hawaii.org or by phone at 221-9608. Proceeds will benefit the scholarship programs of the Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists.