Take Note: Meet San Diego's New Civic Organist, As Seen at Balboa Park
Spanish musician Raul Prieto Ramirez made his debut on stage at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion on Jan. 7
By Monica Garske ••
Spanish organist Raul Prieto Ramirez is San Diego’s new Civic Organist. You can see him perform on the historic Spreckels Organ at Balboa Park. Here, he shows NBC 7 some of his fancy footwork.
A musician from Spain is taking center stage in San Diego – every Sunday at Balboa Park’s iconic Spreckels Organ Pavilion – as he steps into a noteworthy role.
Raul Prieto Ramirez is the newest San Diego Civic Organist and Artistic Director of the Spreckels Organ Society. He was chosen for the prestigious position after a months-long, worldwide search by the Spreckels Organ Society and the City of San Diego, the Organ Society said. Over the summer and early fall, he performed audition concerts at the venue and audiences took to his shows.
According to the Spreckels Organ Society, Prieto Ramirez is the artistic director and founder of the Barcelona Summer Organ Festival and Academy in Spain. He’s known for his electrifying showmanship and ability to play the concert organ from memory.
He’s only the eighth person in history to hold the position of San Diego Civic Organist.
San Diego's new Civic Organist, Raul Prieto Ramirez, performs on the pipes for NBC 7 and Telemundo 20. You can see him performing at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion at Balboa Park on Sundays during a free, one-hour concert that starts at 2 p.m.
Prieto Ramirez made his debut as San Diego Civic Organist during a Jan. 7 concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, performing a variety of tunes, from Bach and "The National Anthem" to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
He returns to the pavilion this Sunday – a stage he will make his own.
Prieto Ramirez told Telemundo 20 and NBC 7 on Wednesday that his Sunday concerts will include a variety of music so that there's something for everyone in the audience.
Crowds fill the Spreckels Organ Pavilion for the Sunday concerts in this photo captured by Robert Lang, of the Spreckels Organ Society.
"I try to play a little bit of something for every one of them," he said.
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion, located in the heart of Balboa Park, houses the Spreckels Organ, which boasts more than 5,000 pipes – varying in lengths, from the size of a pencil to 32-feet – making it the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world. The organ is kept inside a vaulted structure; the sounds of the pipes can often be heard reverberating through the center of Balboa Park.
The Spreckels organ and pavilion were donated to the City of San Diego on Jan. 1, 1915, by brothers John D. and Adolph B. Spreckels, ahead of the Panama-California Exposition. Today, a large plaque can be seen on the pavilion stage, bearing the proclamation of the brothers’ donation.
Since 1917, San Diego has invited civic organists to perform weekly at the pavilion.
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Balboa Park's iconic Botanical Building and Lily Pond.
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The main walkway, right down the middle of Balboa Park.
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The fountain at Balboa Park, just outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
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The fountain at Balboa Park, just outside the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
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Little details are sprinkled about the park, you just have to keep your eyes peeled.
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Walking trails for all fitness levels can be found all over the park. These trails are located near Balboa Park's Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden.
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Once you cross a small pedestrian bridge, these breathtaking views and beautiful blooms await at the legendary Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden.
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The Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden at Balboa Park is maintained by dedicated volunteers.
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The award-winning Rose Garden featured 2,400 rose bushes in 180 varieties.
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The garden is in peak bloom during April and May, although many roses are in bloom from March through December.
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The garden is a popular spots for weddings. Here, a view from the garden toward the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
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Stop and smell the flowers at Balboa Park's Rose Garden.
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Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden is an award winning All-American Rose Selection Display Garden.
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More trails, located just off the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden.
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There are so many paths once can choose at Balboa Park.
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The fountain is a favorite gathering spot for families. It's a great place to take a break or enjoy a picnic.
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The San Diego Natural History Museum is one of many museums in Balboa Park.
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The Balboa Park Visitors Center is at the heart of the park. There, you can pick up maps and speak with knowledgeable volunteers who can point you in the right direction.
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The Plaza de Panama offers some seating options for visitors. This is also a perfect spot for a break or lunch.
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The fountain at the Plaza de Panama.
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Balboa Park's arches are intricate. The hallways provide shade as you stroll.
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Panama 66, located at the San Diego Museum of Art in Plaza de Panama, offers craft brews and food. The restaurant also hosts free, all-ages jazz concerts, usually on Wednesday evenings.
Panama 66
Panama 66, the cool restaurant located at the San Diego Museum of Art on Plaza de Panama, hosts free, all-ages jazz concerts.
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Panama 66, located at the San Diego Museum of Art in Plaza de Panama, offers craft brews and food. The restaurant also hosts free, all-ages jazz concerts, usually on Wednesday evenings.
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It's all in the details.
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Another view from the Plaza.
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Follow the arrows -- they will get you where you need to go.
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Walking, hiking, running: Balboa Park's many trails are built for it all, for all fitness levels, too.
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The entrance to one of Balboa Park's most famous spots: the Japanese Friendship Garden.
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The Japanese Friendship Garden is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last admission is at 6 p.m.). Tickets are $10 for adults; kids ages 6 and under get in free. The garden is free on the third Tuesday of the month, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The Japanese Friendship Garden is known for its cherry blossom trees and tranquil atmosphere.
Richard Benton
Balboa Park's colorful Spanish Village is home to working artists.
Richard Benton
Visitors can check out the artists' studios and masterpieces.
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Built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and given to the City of San Diego by brothers John and Adolf Spreckels, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion is located in the heart of Balboa Park. Free concerts are held here at 2 p.m. every Sunday.
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The Spreckels Organ Pavilion -- another central point at Balboa Park.
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Richard Benton
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion hosts free concerts every Sunday, at 2 p.m.
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The Spreckels Organ Pavilion houses an open-air organ -- the world's largest, in fact, in an outdoor venue.
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With over 4,500 pipes, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion boasts the world's largest outdoor pipe organ.
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Free, public organ concerts by the Civic Organist or guest artists are presented at 2 p.m. every Sunday at Balboa Park's Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Robert Lang/Spreckels Organ Society
Crowds fill the Spreckels Organ Pavilion for the Sunday concerts in this photo captured by Robert Lang, of the Spreckels Organ Society.
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Plenty of seating at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
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Arch detail at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
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Architecture at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Robert Lang/Spreckels Organ Society
Crowds fill the Spreckels Organ Pavilion for the Sunday concerts in this photo captured by Robert Lang, of the Spreckels Organ Society.
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The Mingei International Museum is one of many museums that fill Balboa Park.
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Another look at that iconic tower.
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We dare you not to fall in love with this place.
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A closer look at Balboa Park's California Tower and dome.
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The Old Globe Theatre is tucked inside Balboa Park.
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Gorgeous. A closer look at Balboa Park's California Tower, which stands at the San Diego Museum of Man. The intricate tower was built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition.
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The California Tower.
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Balboa Park's Alcazar Garden is patterned after the gardens of Alcazar Castle in Seville, Spain.
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Colorful mosaic tiles are sprinkled around Alcazar Garden. There are benches in the shade, too, making this another solid spot to take a break.
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Balboa Park's California Tower.
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The California Tower, as seen from a small fountain in the Alcaraz Garden.
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The Alcaraz Garden.
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Another peaceful path for walking at Balboa Park.
Prieto Ramirez said he will never forget that the Spreckels Organ was a gift to the city and the world -- a gift meant to be shared and enjoyed by all.
"I don't play for music lovers. I don't play for organ nerds. I play for everyone," he said.
Prieto Ramirez urges San Diegans who've never attended an organ concert at the pavilion to give one of his Sunday shows a whirl -- because they just might find something new to like. The free concerts are at 2 p.m. every Sunday.
By the way, if you notice the organist wearing a pair of white shoes with a small heel on them during his shows, there's a story behind the kicks.
He has so much respect for the famous Spreckels Organ, Prieto Ramirez wears special, custom-made shoes designed for playing the instrument that have some bend to them, which helps move his feet swiftly across the keys.
"I wouldn't touch the keys with dirty hands, so I wouldn't touch the keys on the bottom with the same shoes I use to walk on the ground," he said.
Balboa Park is one of San Diego’s best-known landmarks. If you’re planning a visit, here’s a look at five must-see and must-do things at Balboa Park.
