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!

Summer 2010: Part 2

I had my recital at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral (www.cccindy.org) yesterday and it went fabulously! We had a great crowd of people from downtown and friends of mine. My grandparents were there, the Balkes, the Goodlett twins, organist Robert Richter, and plenty of others! It was just fantastic! And I was paid $50 to boot!




 Right: My program










 Left: That's me at the Hellmuth Wolff organ in Christ Church Cathedral, right after my recital on the same instrument.



 


After the concert I showed the gallery organ off to my grandparents and some fabulous friends and they all thoroughly enjoyed it I believe. It was a fantastic day!




 Right: That's me at the 53 rank Taylor and Boody gallery organ, after playing the D Major Prelude BWV 532 for some wonderful people.







Today I met my friend Rees for the first time in person, he and I have known each other for two years via youtube and facebook. We tried out the organs at Saint Luke's UMC, Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis.






Left: My friends (and fellow organists) Rees and Jon pretend to be beggars at the Center City Circle.






While at Saint Paul's, we walked by a car wash the youth group was holding and somebody yelled "Hey everybody! There's Cody and his friends from Shelbyville and Arkansas!" and half the youthgroup came running over screaming my name. Rees was wearing an Oberlin shirt, much to the delight of several people there. SO cool! Kids my age with actual musical knowledge and appreciation! One (Maureen?) said "Oberlin, that's where I want to go!" and I'm thinking "SWEET!!! ME TOO!". Indianapolis is AWESOME and the kids at Saint Paul's are the coolest!

This is going to be a fun summer. I'm already making new friends! :-D

Summer 2010: Part 1

Next week I leave for Indianapolis, embarking on a two month journey of learning!

Next Friday, Friday June 18th, I will be playing an afternoon organ recital after the noontime Eucharist at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. The organ is a 4 manual, 72 rank tracker action instrument built in 1990 by Hullmuth Wolff and Associates. The program is as follows:

1. Apparition de l'Eglise Eternelle - Olivier Messiaen
2. Le Banquet Celeste - Olivier Messiaen
3. Cantata 29: Sinfonia - J.S. Bach

I spoke with their Associate Music Director, and he expects, depending on the weather conditions, 40 to 50 people. However, I've made sure to get the word out at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church where I attend while in Indianapolis so we may have some extra guests other than the regulars! Lets hope so!

It's such a great feeling to be playing this recital for many reasons. First, I was invited to play by their Associate Director at the reception of a Gerre Hancock recital, which made me feel just great! Another reason this upcomming recital is important is that it is a cathedral church with a wonderful music program, and I'm glad to be a part of it. Also, just the fact that it's a nine hour drive from where I live makes it a great experience (and it kind of gives me a feeling as if I'm going on tour!).

Wish me luck everybody! I'll be sure to get pictures and video of me during the concert, lets hope it's a big success!

As the school year closes (part II)...

 ...my, my, my! My goodness! What a year this has been!
Such fun, excitement, fulfillment, achievement, and still, so much to look forward to next year!

Our lovely seniors graduated this past Saturday and my last day of school is this Wednesday, the day after tomorrow. The funny thing is, I'm just now realizing that the majority of my friends this year were seniors, now that they've all graduated and are going off to strange new places for college to begin a new part of their lives as independent adults. I'm so proud of all of them!

Myself with Trevs, after he graduated.

Here I am with the 'backstage mamas' from the Spring musical, after their graduation.

Rather unfortunately, the greatest teacher ofall time is also graduating... :( we'll miss him in his retirement!