Gordon Turk in the Great Auditorium. Paul Goldfinger portrait. July 1, 2021. Click to enlarge.
By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor Blogfinger.net
July 1, 2021. Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
2025 Update: We have learned that a PBS documentary is being filmed about famed organist Gordon Turk. We have no current details, but a PBS team was seen filming some scenes of Ocean Grove today August 26, 2025.
One of our reporters spoke to the 3 person crew and they verified the Turk project and their location videos which they call “Plan B” where videos are obtained to weave into the documentary to provide a sense of place. For example today they were filming Stokes statue.
Background from a prior Blogfinger.net post (2021) about Gordon Turk:
If you are from Ocean Grove, you will know who Gordon Turk is. In 1974 he became resident organist at the Great Auditorium of Ocean Grove. He has retained this position by the OG Camp Meeting Association because of the excellence of his musicianship, his scholarly achievements, and his dedication and professionalism.
Turk is an academic, a musical prize winner, as well as a world-travelled performer.
During the summer season in the Grove he is the Artistic Director of the “Summer Stars Classical Series” where superb musicians perform in the Auditorium on Thursday evenings. It is the only such summer classical series in the State. That series for 2021 began last night.
The photo was taken while he was waiting to take the stage and welcome the first audience of the season, and it was a very special event because for many it is the first time back for a live classical performance.
This time he introduced the New Jersey Wind Symphony and he joined them in welcoming the Independence Day weekend.
If you have the opportunity to attend services on Sundays or other special events in Ocean Grove such as the Annual Choir Festival on July 11, the superb organ concerts through the summer, or a special event called “Jazz and Pizazz” on September 6, you can hear Gordon Turk perform his organ magic in the Great Auditorium.
Bring children to experience live classical music in a world famous venue. Don’t underestimate the power of music to elevate society.
Ocean Grover Norm Goldman says that “Music is the only form of communication now where various factions can come together and agree on what is beautiful. ” And he said that during the intermission of last night’s concert brought to town by Gordon Turk.
For more information: www.oceangrove.org.
Gordon Turk with Guilmant’s “Adagio (Sonata III)”. from his album Organ Masterworks from Ocean Grove. This is wonderful!