LEWISTON — Ray Cornils, who recently retired after almost 30 years as Portland’s municipal organist, will perform the final summer noonday concert at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8. His performance will include a piece by Cesar Franck, Elliott’s improvisation on “Shall We Gather at the River,” and Guilmant’s “March on a Theme of Handel.” 

Known for his highly diverse programming, Cornils has been a featured recitalist for conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society. In addition to his solo work, he performs regularly with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He has been a member of the music faculties of Bowdoin College, the University of Southern Maine, the Young Organists Collaborative and the Portland Conservatory of Music, where he taught organ, harpsichord and related classes.

As part of this final noonday concert, author Julie-Ann Baumer will be signing and selling copies of the recently published book “The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.”

This concert is free and open to the public, and donations to the organ restoration project are welcome.

FMI, contact Scott Vaillancourt: Phone, 207-240-9419; email, Scott.Vaillancourt@portlanddiocese.org.