Celebrating the Centennial of the E.M. Skinner Organ
Dr. Zach Klobnak in Concert
Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. with reception to follow
Wesley United Methodist Church at the University of Illinois
Where Campus and Community Meet
Wesley United Methodist Church is honored to present Dr. Zach Klobnak in concert on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. as part of our Centennial Organ Celebration. The performance will take place in the sanctuary of Wesley United Methodist Church at the University of Illinois (1203 W. Green Street, Urbana), with parking available in the church lot off Goodwin Avenue. Admission is free; donations will be gratefully accepted.
About the Artist
Zach Klobnak is Assistant Professor of Music at Centre College (Danville, Kentucky), where he has taught since 2013. He teaches applied lessons in organ, piano, and harpsichord, courses in American music and music theory, and newly developed courses for the college’s study abroad and general education curricula. His duties include accompanying responsibilities for Centre’s voice and choral programs.
A native of Iowa, Klobnak holds degrees from Luther College (B.A.), the University of Florida (M.M.), the University of Kentucky (M.A.), and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (D.M.A.), where he held the Brownson Fellowship for organ studies. During his doctoral work, he studied French organ literature and design in Paris and in the Alps region of France. His principal organ teachers include Dana Robinson, Laura Ellis, and Gregory Peterson; he also studied harpsichord with Kathryn Reed and choral conducting with Donald Nally, Fred Stoltzfus, and Timothy Peter.
As an active recitalist, Zach has performed throughout the region as soloist and collaborative artist. He especially enjoys designing programs that help expand the core repertoire to include underrepresented composers, including Parisian composer Rolande Falcinelli, who was the subject of his doctoral project. Since 2015, Zach has served as principal keyboardist and accompanist for the Kentucky Bach Choir and has performed in the last two seasons with the Johnson City (TN) Symphony Orchestra.
Klobnak is also a seasoned arts administrator. Much of his work in this realm is through the American Guild of Organists, where he currently sits on the Committee for Scholarships. Recently, he helped design and oversee an educational outreach program for young musicians, including a state-of-the-art virtual camp during the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, he is an active member of the College Music Society and is currently serving as Program Chair for the March 2026 conference for the CMS Great Lakes chapter.
About the E.M. Skinner Organ
The 1925 E.M. Skinner organ at Wesley United Methodist Church (Opus 521) is a treasured example of American organ building at its finest. Originally installed in Smith Music Hall on the campus of the University of Illinois, the instrument was relocated to Wesley Church in 1965, where it continues to inspire worshippers, students, and concertgoers alike. Known for its rich tonal palette and expressive capabilities, the Skinner organ has been an integral part of the community’s musical life for a century.
Also check out other Music events in Urbana, Entertainment events in Urbana, Arts events in Urbana.
