Longest Musical Performance in College History

Over a 60-hour period before finals, the Weller Organ in Deane Chapel, controlled by Professor Steve Hodson, will be playing “ORGAN2/ASLSP (As Slow as Possible)” by John Cage (1912-1992). This 1987 work explores how slowly a piece of music might unfold. Westmont’s performance will begin at 8 am on April 26 (with a rest) and end at 8 pm on April 28. 

“Stop by anytime to hear a chord; if you’re lucky, you may get to hear a note change,” Hodson says.  

There is a 639-year performance of the piece underway in Halberstadt, Germany. It began in 2001 with turning on the organ bellows, followed by a two-year rest. Its most recent note change took place on February 5 of this year, another is scheduled for August 5, 2026, and the performance is scheduled to end in 2640.