Scotty?s Castle in the Death Valley National Park will host a live organ concert on the Welte-Mignon organ that stands in the music room. Tickets for June 13 and 15 are still available. June 14 is sold out. Advertisement

Death Valley is a harbor for both natural and man-made treasures. Among those treasures is the marvelous result of an unlikely friendship between a wealthy Chicago insurance executive and a would-be man of prosperity who could only live vicariously through his own dreams. That man was of course, Death Valley Scotty, and the marvel is the 32,000-square-foot compound known as Scotty's Castle.

Since the National Park Service purchased the property in 1970, for a mere $850,000, there have been public tours offered.

In the beginning the tours were simply of the castle, showcasing the furnishings and regaling tales of the infamous Death Valley Scotty. In more recent years, those simple tours have been expanded to satisfy public curiosity concerning the advanced technology used in making the castle comfortable and functional.

They also offered the sights and sounds of the Welte-Mignon organ located in the legendary music room of the Castle.

Those who take the tour have undoubtedly heard the huge pipe organ. A tour guide pushes a button and the strains of forgotten tunes from days-gone-by fill the hall.

The concert is different. Several decades passed before the Welte-Mignon organ was once again played manually in a performance of any kind.

Several years ago, through the combined efforts of the National Park Service and the Death Valley Natural History Association, that changed. Now, they go to great lengths in finding a different expert to play in the yearly one-weekend performance open to the public.

Donna Parker is the organ soloist this year. She started studying organ at the age of 7 and has several highly acclaimed recordings to her credit, including her recent release, "The Lady Elsinore." In 1996, Donna was named Organist of the Year by the American Theatre Organ Society.

Parker has played in a wide variety of venues worldwide, and she is currently touring the United States, including performances at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.

For those attending, there are a few things to remember.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and the available dates are June 13 and June 15. The cost is $30 per person. June 14 is sold out.

The drive to Scotty's Castle may be seem very long for some people but rooms are available at the Furnace Creek Inn for those who want to stay overnight.

This is not a venue for young children, and courtesy asks that attendees do not disturb the other guests.

Ask before bringing flash or video cameras, and if taking the opportunity to make this an all-day excursion, leave the backpacks in the car.

Food, gum and drinks are not permitted in the castle.

Contact 800-478-8564 extension 10, or e-mail deathvalleyha@earthlink.net to reserve your seats and for detailed information.

Don't wait too long to secure tickets, and do enjoy.