More than two dozen top high school organists, representing the next generation of concert artists, church music directors, and University organists, will be in Rochester Sunday, July 14, through Friday, July 19, to participate in an intensive program of instruction and performance. Presented by the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the program features faculty and graduates of the Eastman School of Music who not only will instruct the students but also give public concerts.
In addition to the faculty concerts, the six-day “Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced” event features several other events that will be open to the public: organ building demonstrations presented by Parsons Pipe Organ Builders of Canandaigua, master classes, and student recitals.
The 27 teen-aged organists participating in the Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced were selected for the program based on their audition recordings, letters of recommendations, and other supporting materials, and include such students as 17-year-old Leo Janin from France as well as two musicians featured on the national public radio series From the Top: David von Behren, an 18-year-old from Falls City, Neb., and Michael Bennett, a 14-year-old from New York City.
Student participants, who are 14 through 18 years old, will receive individual instruction in pipe organ technique and attend classes in areas such as organ literature and history, pipe organ construction and design, music theory, improvisation, conducting, and service playing.
The young organists will have the opportunity to study with Eastman faculty members David Higgs, chair of the Department of Organ, Sacred Music, and Historical Keyboards; Associate Professor Edoardo Bellotti; Assistant Professor Nathan Laube; Assistant Professor Peter DuBois, who also hosts the nationally syndicated public radio series With Heart and Voice; and instructors Stephen Kennedy and Annie Laver; as well as Eastman alumni Nicole Marane, associate director of music at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Atlanta; Elizabeth Lenti, associate organist at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Cleveland; Charles Tompkins, professor of music, organ and music theory and university organist at Furman University, Greenville, S.C.; Christian Lane, associate university choirmaster and organist at Harvard University; Carole Terry, professor of organ and harpsichord at the University of Washington’s School of Music; and other distinguished guest faculty.
Though registration is closed for the Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced, budding young local organists will be eligible to receive a free organ lesson at the Eastman School of Music by attending the organ building demonstrations or student recitals. For more information, contact the event’s director, Anne Laver, at 585-274-1564. The schedule of public events is:
Monday, July 15
Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced: Faculty Recital featuring organists Peter DuBois, Nathan Laube, Nicole Marane, and Carole Terry
8 to 9:15 p.m.
Asbury United Methodist Church, 1040 East Avenue
Free, donations accepted
Tuesday, July 16
Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced: Open master class with David Higgs and Catherine Rodland.
3 to 4:45 p.m.
Christ Church, 141 East Ave.
Free
Tuesday, July 16
Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced: Faculty Recital featuring organists Elizabeth Lenti, Edoardo Bellotti, Annie Laver, and Charles Tompkins
7:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park
Free, donations accepted
Wednesday, July 17
Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced: Faculty Recital featuring organists David Higgs, Stephen Kennedy, Chris Lane, and Catherine Rodland
7:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Christ Church, 141 East Avenue
Free, donations accepted
Thursday, July 18
Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced. Open master class with Nathan Laube and Carole Terry
3 to 4:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park
Free
Thursday, July 18
Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced: Faculty Recital featuring organists Timothy Olsen, Robert Poovey, and Michael Unger
7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford, 21 Church Street, Pittsford
Free, donations accepted
Friday, July 19
Organ building demonstration by Parsons Pipe Organ Builders of Canandaigua
9 – 10:30 a.m.
Christ Church lawn, 141 East Ave. In event of rain, this activity will be moved inside Christ Church.
Free and open to the public
*All school-age youth who attend will receive a voucher for an introductory organ lesson at the Eastman School of Music
Friday, July 19
Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced. Student Recital
10:30 a.m.
Christ Church, 141 East Ave.
Free and open to the public
*All school-age youth who attend will receive a voucher for an introductory organ lesson at the Eastman School of Music
Friday, July 19
Organ building demonstration by Parsons Pipe Organ Builders of Canandaigua
Noon – 1 p.m.
Christ Church lawn, 141 East Ave. In event of rain, this activity will be moved inside Christ Church.
Free
*All school-age youth who attend will receive a voucher for an introductory organ lesson at the Eastman School of Music
Friday, July 19
Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced. Student Recital
1 p.m.
Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St.
Free and open to the public
*All school-age youth who attend will receive a voucher for an introductory organ lesson at the Eastman School of Music
# # #