{home sweet home}

      Well folks, I’m back from my summer escapades! It feels like I have been gone for years –has it really only been 5 weeks? Sheesh. My latest adventure was in Manhattan Kansas for POE where twelve students ranging from ages 13-18 gathered for a week of recitals, organ lessons, workshops, and numerous games of pool. It is such a rare and wonderful opportunity, that I am kind of sad I haven’t gone regularly in years past. To high school aged pianists--let me give you a word of advice: GO TO PIPE ORGAN CAMP!

 

 

Twice a day, students were split up into pairs for 2 hour sessions of lessons and practice time. These were my favorite times of the day when I was completely immersed in music and had nothing else to focus on except what I was being taught. “Feel the music!” my teacher said, “make it swing and dance under your fingertips.”

Teachers also took turns presenting workshops for the students. There were workshops on practicing efficiently, how to play hymns in church, how an organ works, performance anxiety, etc.  For one workshop, an employee from Quimby Pipe Organ Company came and let us crawl through the pipes chambers.

 

 

Do you see those boxes under the pipes? Those are wind chests. You have to scoot in head first on your back to see underneath the pipes. Then, someone locks the door behind you so wind won’t escape-- that way you can see how air passes through the pipes. After that claustrophobic experience, I now have a healthy respect for organ builders.  

            Halfway through the week the whole group of us drove to Lincoln Nebraska for some sightseeing. When 12 students are packed into a 15 passenger van, chaos inevitably ensues. Towards the end of our ride all of us were impersonating Sesame Street characters, listening to classical music, talking to each other in German, and looking at gifs. Ahhhhh—such good times!

            Once in Lincoln NE, we toured Bedient Pipe Organ Company. They were so encouraging and welcoming to all of us! Thank you for letting us get a glimpse of ‘behind the scenes’.  

            Next, three different churches generously let us invade and play their organs. Westminster Presbyterian had a wonderful Casavant organ: 

 

We also visited this beautiful monster, which was by far my favorite:

It’s a Schoenstein Organ in First Plymouth Congregational Church. That thing is intimidating. Not only is it huge, it can also control a second organ in the balcony.  

And last but not least we played an Italian style organ built by Bedient in St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Though it usually runs on electricity, there were bellows in the back which only the guys were brave enough to try their hand at.

 

 

 

At the end of the week all twelve students performed for teachers and parents in a recital. It was a wonderful way to end our time spent learning and exploring together. I honestly cannot wait till next year!

 

 

And storied windows richly dight,

Casting a dim religious light.

There let the pealing organ blow,

To the full-voiced choir below,

In service high, and anthems clear

As may, with sweetness, through mine ear

Dissolve me into ecstasies,

And bring all Heaven before mine eyes.

--John Milton