Do I Play Organ Anymore?

I used to play quite a bit of organ; I played and took lessons growing up, and many of the church positions of pianist come with organist attached as a matter of course. There's a huge difference between playing a wind instrument like an organ and the percussion instrument of a piano. Because they both have keyboards, many people believe they are similar. Weddings also inspire the question "Do you play organ?"
Every organ is very different and often for a wedding there is little to no time to familiarize yourself with the stops and registration. Most organs I have had to use also have the "shades of disrepair" ghost looming over the cobweb-filled pipes. It is very embarrassing to find out during the processional, as the bride enters the sanctuary, that a stop you've chosen rattles and clunks like the chains of old Marley himself! But that's another story.
Earlier this week a church called and was wondering whether I would be interested in coming back to fill a "one-service per Sunday" position. There would be no extra rehearsals, they'd give me the list of hymns ahead, just show up and play. The secretary was new, and my name was in their files as a back-up organist. This was news to me. I haven't played for them since 1999, and then it was full-time.
After the call, which I turned down by the way, I began to wonder when exactly WAS the last time I had played an organ? I think is was at that church a decade ago. There have been occasional wedding gigs since then, but nothing seriously organ. Would I consider myself an organist anymore? I would need so much practice on not just my pedal technique, but the keyboard as well! I came to the conclusion that the answer is no.
There are many articles and editorials that point to the slow death of organs in America and likewise organists. Many churches have not built space for a pipe organ, and have leaned toward more contemporary praise bands. One large church in my city began an organ fund five years ago. They have positioned themselves to eventually build a very big pipe organ and be a concert venue for the entire south metro area, in addition to their worship needs.
I have a friend from my grad school days that knows where every "decent" pipe organ is, he hopes to play them all before he dies. The list is shrinking as they need repair and are not fixed. He teaches organ too, but very few students want to learn this instrument.
In my area, there is a public radio program called "Pipedreams" which shares concerts in beautiful churches on these grand instruments. For more information on this program, to see some pictures of these gorgeous and sometimes flashy organs, or to hear some of the sounds click here.

The organ pictured is the 2006 Holtkamp organ in the Boe chapel of St. Olaf College, in Northfield, Minnesota. And finally, this is the organ piece I loved to play in high school, and frankly I never improved from here. This organist is outstanding, it's clear, not too fast, and the cathedral, well, wowoza.

Honors Concert Regalia, Part Primo

Last Saturday Minnesota piano students performed at Northrop Auditorium on the University of Minnesota campus. I love the look and feel of this auditorium, not only because it holds so many memories of my performances there, but it just feels like a musical auditorium should. Tall ceilings, detailed chandelier and wall reliefs, the seats are covered in crushed burgundy velvet. I always think that the following information should be in our recital program; alas I've been told there's no room.

Northrop Memorial Auditorium, completed in 1929, was built to hold the entire student body of the 1920's. Since then, this 4800 seat auditorium continues to fulfill its original purpose as a center for the arts and student life. From music and theatre performances to graduation ceremonies, Northrop has played a vital role in the history of the University. The inscription on the facade of Northrop was written by former Graduate School dean and University of Minnesota president Guy Stanton Ford. Capturing the mission of the University, the inscription reads: "Founded in faith that men are ennobled by understanding, Dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth, Devoted to the instruction of youth and the welfare of the state."
Could there be a better worded statement at the beginning of our annual event? I don't think so. We're still striving for just these lofty and virtuous goals.

If it were up to me, I would also include a blurb about the incredible organ housed here. One student per year wins the Young Artist in Organ and performs on it in the middle of the concert. As the organ rises from the floor of the orchestra pit, there is always a collective OOOH.

The Northrop Organ
Built in 1932-1935, the Northrop Auditorium Organ, Aeolian-Skinner Op. 892, is located above the auditorium's stage and behind the proscenium, and is played from a four-manual console located in the orchestra pit. Containing 80 independent stops and 108 ranks of pipes, the Northrop Organ is one of the finest extant examples of a late-romantic concert organ by the premier manufacturer of its era.
In 1999, the Northrop Organ received a Special Citation from the Organ Historical society. The Society's citations program has been likened to the National Register of Historic Places. The citation of the organ reflects the increased awareness of the importance of orggans of this vintage that have remained intact and tonally and technologically unaltered.

Organizing an event like this, (660 students age 7-18, separated from their parents, and they are nervous) takes a tremendous amount of patience and skill. The auditorium is divided into pink and green signs, students wear pink and green bracelets, and rows of seats are labeled by pink and green labels with each duet listed. Each child is assigned an exact seat. The rule sheets are very specific to keep track of the most minute details. There are 20 grand pianos on stage. Lifting the lids always lifts my energy level!

Here is also a picture of some of our volunteers in the green room. The gala event is staffed with teacher volunteers from around the state. This in itself is a testament to the care and importance we teachers see in this honored concert.

If you'd like pictures of this amazing building, I recommend here and here. My favorite is this one, the view from the stage! I also took a few "special" photos where only performers get to go-enjoy!

Part Secondo - a personal look, coming soon...