Organ Music at PK Park for 2012

Take Me Out to the Ballgame will be played the old fashioned way all season at PK Park. Fans who came out to see the Emeralds the opening home stand heard a familiar ballpark sound, new to PK Park. Jonathan Bilenki provided, for the first four games and will for the rest of the season, an authentic baseball game sound to fans.

The Baltimore native moved to Eugene 12 years ago when he started attending the University of Oregon. Music has always been a passion for him and his family alike. He is learning the finer points about ballpark organ music, but that is not stopping him from playing a wide variety of different music.

Bilenki has made it a point to create a fun atmosphere by playing traditional music mixed with new pop favorites, since he is "interested in lots of different music, like a DJ, but on a live music level." Tunes by Michael Jackson or Adele may not be traditional ballpark organ fare, but it will be familiar to Ems fans by the end of the season.

Growing up in a musically inclined family, Bilenki was brought up playing a wide array of instruments like piano, keyboard, and the organ. During the last year he has focused his attention on the ukulele and the organ, while serving as a music and spanish instructor at Village School in Eugene.

The game on the field is full of craftsmanship and flare, and the art art of being an organist is what Bilenki describes as a play or drama. Better yet, he says that "I can take any song and make it into a big party on the organ." He describes the instrument, "like a whole band, making a lot of sounds at once, like an ultimate music machine."

Bilenki considers Nancy Faust to be his organ inspiration, who put her spin on songs for 41 years as the organist for the Chicago White Sox. She was somewhat the "Cal Ripken of ballpark organists," according to Bilenki.

Any craft takes a while to perfect and Bilenki, in his first season as a ballpark organist, will be shaping his craft. "I have the basics down, but will be taking notes on different situations and what works best."

Ultimately, he is going to play off what the fans like best to create a mix of old with a new ballpark feel.