Summer 2010: Part 3

Auer Hall

MY, MY, MY!

I just finished the POE at the Jacobs School of Music (Indiana University) at Bloomington! Woot!

I never thought I could learn so much in one week! My technique has improved and so has my understanding of the music I play. I and 40 other young organists, ages 12-19, from all over the country, spent a week enjoying the pipe organ, learning about it, and playing it! It wouldn't have been possible without the help from countless teachers, all of the highest caliber as mentors and performers. On our first day we had a fabulous concert featuring, among others, Dr. James David Christie, Dr. Collin Andrews, Dr. Janette Fishell, and Dr. Wilma Jenson on the brand new 68 rank organ built by C.B. Fisk in Auer Hall.

The day after, I played a harpsichord for the first time and met one of the most famous organists in the world, Diane Bish. It became very clear that this would be a very fun week! And indeed it was!

Me seated at a gorgeous harpsichord

Me with Diane Bish

The Metz Carillon

The day after that, we attended a stunning carillon recital in which numerous pieces were performed on a  very big carillon. We all had the opportunity to climb to the top of it where the ringing room is, to watch the performer. I braved the tower stairs and wished I hadn't halfway up! I'm not usually afraid of heights but this was scary! After the carillon recital we attended a silent movie (Phantom of the Opera) in the IU auditorium with accompaniment on their 86 rank Schantz organ. It was phenomenal! And with such music, we didn't even need words! The spoken dialogue was not remotely missed, in fact, it was quite unnecessary in this case and the film and music was absolutely incredible without it!

Me playing for Dr. Christie

The day after that, we 41 students and most of our professors took a field trip to Indianapolis for masterclasses. At Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Indianapolis, I was the subject of Dr. James David Christie, chair of the organ department at the Oberlin Conservatory. He gave me a 30 minute organ lesson on Baroque organ performance in front of an audience of over 50, mostly students, but many of whom have their doctorate degrees in organ performance. This experience was revelationary! His teaching style was perfect for me and my performance of the pieces he had me play was so improved after just thirty minutes of instruction. He told me I have strong hands and fingers and a great technique, he said "Come to Oberlin, I'll make an organist out of you!". I now KNOW I simply must go to Oberlin to study with him. Luckily, they also have a summer camp, which I'll be certain to attend next year!

The 85 year-old console of the Barton Theatre organ

Later on, we went to a High School with an 18 rank Barton Theatre organ in their auditorium! THAT was awesome to say the very least! It was my first time hearing a Theatre organ live so I was more than excited!

The big bad Fisk in Auer Hall, my friend Rees is seated at the console.

On Friday we heard yet another concert by world class organists on the new Fisk at Auer Hall. This time it was Dr. Ed Moor, Dr. Dana Robinson, Dr. Edie Johnson, and Dr. Herndon Spillman, among others. It was a fabulous concert on a fabulous organ! I was so pleased to see so many guests in the audience too, including my friends Cait and Anna, from Indianapolis.

Me at the console of the Fisk in Auer Hall, after the student recital

Finally, Saturday came, and it was time to use all the skills we'd learned from the various teachers in a concert of our own! Every one of us had to play one piece in a three hour recital in Auer Hall! I played the Sinfonia from Cantata 29, even though I learned this piece in December, there was still much about the piece I'd yet to learn, Dr. Edie Johnson worked on the piece with me through the week and helped me to polish my performance technically and stylistically. The recital went swimmingly and everybody played fantastically! After my performance, I walked by a string of professors to hear resounding compliments, first Dr. David Lamb, then Dr. Janette Fishell, then Dr. Chris Young, then Marvin Mills, then Dr. Herndon Spillman, and so on! It felt so good! AFter the concert, Dr. Christie again complimented me and told me I have to keep in touch, he thinks I have what it takes to get into Oberlin as an organ major. Frank Boles told me today "So you have one foot in the door!" and now I must work very, very hard to get the rest of me through that door!

I learned so much from this week, my passion for organ music has been reinforced, my technique has improved, my understanding of the music I love has expanded, I've made new friends and now have a better idea what being an organ major will be like. Also, becoming acquainted with Dr. Christie alone was well worth the $450 the camp cost!

Endless thanks from me to Dr. David Lamb (POE director), Dr. Janette Fishell and Dr. Collin Andrews (adjunct chairs of the organ department at the Jacobs school), Dr. James David Christie, Kevin Neel and Chris Lynch (counselors), Harry Martenas (my organ teacher), the congregation and staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Bloomsburg, all those who attended my recital back in April, my wonderful family, and of course my fabulous teacher for the week, Dr. Edie Johnson, who did absolute wonders with my touch, articulation, and pedal technique!

I can't believe it's over!