Even the world renowned Spreckels Organ is undergoing City Council budget cost-cutting scrutiny these days. When the new contract for organist Carol Williams came up for approval, Councilman Carl DeMaio suggested exploring other options for payment. Williams, who has been the city’s organist since 2001, receives an annual salary of $28,600 to play every Sunday, rain or shine. Her contract, a 10-year package, is scheduled for renewal July 1. “It came as a complete shock,” Ron DeFields, president of the 1,000-member Spreckels Organ Society, said in response to the potential denial of the contract renewal. “Our boss, the Park and Recreation Department, and the supporting San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture thought there would be no problem.” DeFields admitted, however, that he was cautiously optimistic the city would continue its support, which has been in effect since 1926. DeMaio said the world’s second-largest outdoor pipe organ is a “treasure.” But he asked staffers if the funding could come from the Arts and Culture Commission or private donations instead.  Brothers John D. and Adolph Spreckels presented the organ to the city in 1917, which they had built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park. Williams, first woman pipe organist in the United States, earned a doctorate in music from the Manhattan School of Music and has performed around the world. It’s reported that her wage includes 30 hours of pre-performance time, including the organization of guest artist appearances. After 95 years, concerts have attracted crowds of over 100,000 per year. “I’d say 40 percent in the audience are visitors,” said DeFields. “It’s a great tourist attraction.” The unique organ contains 4,530 pipes ranging in length from the size of a pencil to 32 feet. It is housed in an ornate vaulted structure with highly embellished gables. The society operates on a yearly budget of $109,000 and is run almost entirely by volunteers involved in fundraising to pay for pavilion maintenance and service upkeep for the organ. It is funded in part by grants from the Commission for Arts and Culture and the San Diego County Community Enhancement Program. The facility hosts an International Organ Festival on Monday evenings and the Twilight in the Park Concert Series on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the summer. In addition, the Pavilion is the site of numerous concerts, graduations, weddings and special events. Spreckels in the summer Starting June 20, the Spreckels Organ Society will present the 2011 Summer International Organ Festival, featuring celebrated organists from around the world performing every Monday until Aug. 29. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and are free. Children and pets are welcome to join, and light snacks, beverages and unique gifts are available starting at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the not-for-profit organ society. Following is a list of performances and dates: • June 20: Carol Williams, San Diego Civic Organist, artistic director of Spreckels Organ Society (performance accompanied by Bach’s Supper Taco Fiesta) • June 27: Jonathan Ortloff, 2008 winner of the American Theatre Organ Society’s Young Theatre Organist Competition • July 4: Walt Strony, award-winning American theater organist performing a special Independence Day concert • July 11: Scott Dettra, associate director of music at the Washington National Cathedral • July 18: Samuel “Sal” Soria, organist at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, two-time winner of the American Guild of Organists National Competition in Organ Improvisation • July 25: Helmuth Luksch, Austrian concert organist at the Main City Parish Church St. Egid in Klagenfurt, Austria and artistic director for Kufstein, Tyrol, the world’s largest outdoor organ • Aug. 1: Christopher Houlihan, winner of the Prix de Perfectionnement from the French National Regional Conservatory and graduate student at The Juilliard School • Aug. 8: Robert Plimpton, civic organist emeritus and nationally lauded pipe organist, joined by Jason Ginter, timpanist and percussionist, formerly of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra • Aug. 15: David Arcus, chapel organist at Duke University, winner of the 2000 Holtkamp-American Guild of Organists Competition in Organ Composition • Aug. 22: Dennis James, silent movie master, live performer accompanying silent films all over the U.S. • Aug. 29: Carol Williams, San Diego Civic Organist performing a “Best of Hollywood” night for the festivals grand finale Twilight in the park For 31 years, San Diegans have been treated to free summer concerts in Balboa Park. This year, Twilight in the Park offers up an eclectic mix of programs ranging from military bands to Dixieland jazz to Latin salsa. Starting June 21 and running through Aug. 25, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion will come alive every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings with the sounds of free music from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Stars on the Water, a tropical rock ‘n’ roll group, will kick off the program on June 21. For a complete list of bands and the dates they’ll be playing, visit www.balboapark.org — Kendra Hartmann