Students from across U.S. take part in pipe organ training
The students awoke around dawn and worked until sunset.
They dragged themselves from lessons to classes to recitals and demonstrations. The days were long, and the practices intense.
But nothing really wore down the teens who visited Lincoln for the first-ever Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced this week. A group of 18 students and a handful of faculty went from church to church playing and learning about pipe organs.
“We’re not here for the services,” said Eric Fricke, 15, of Scottsdale, Ariz., “so we don’t get to drink any wine.”
The high school students came from Maine, Georgia, Florida, California and elsewhere. They had to audition to participate in the first-ever advanced encounter, which lasted Monday to Friday and was hosted by the Lincoln chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Pipe organ encounters have been going on for 20 years, event director Christopher Marks said, and several take place around the country annually.
But a flaw developed — the same kids were attending the same encounters, and they were learning introductory skills every time. The national chapter of the American Guild of Organists decided to create an advanced event, and it chose Lincoln to host the first one. Students recorded their auditions and sent them by mail. Not everyone qualified to participate.
“It’s great,” said Samuel Gaskin, 16, of Beaumont, Texas. “There are more people who really know what they’re doing. Some people were beginners in the regular Pipe Organ Encounters.”
The week in Lincoln began with the water shutting off in Neihardt Hall, where the kids bunked up during their stay. Before digging into lessons and performing in front of peers, the youths were using bottled water to brush their teeth.
They had 7 a.m. breakfasts and 8 a.m. lessons. Individual faculty members worked with two students each morning before sending them off to classes.
“It’s very intense,” Fricke said. “We’re running all the time.”
Still, a few used their breaks to play the piano in the dormitory. Others volunteered to perform organ solos with their feet.
Everyone had a knack for music.
The youths studied subjects such as theory and improvisation. They learned the art of pipe-making from local organ-maker Gene Bedient, and the skill of composition from Dallas native and church musician Joel Martinson.
Those classes were non-existent in previous encounters. Professors from across the nation volunteered their services for the program. Faculty members arrived from Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, The Juilliard School in New York City and Oberlin (Ohio) College, to name a few.
“This is the age group that I work with (at Interlochen),” organ instructor Thomas Bara said. “It’s a great age to teach. They’re so open.”
Several University of Nebraska-Lincoln professors offered their help, too, including Marks, who has served as an assistant professor of organs since 2006.
He said Lincoln has an unusual number of good organs for its size, and it’s a convenient spot to host a national encounter. It’s also a good place for students to spend a few days.
“They’re all very enthusiastic,” Marks said. “They keep coming back because they enjoy being around other students who love organs.”
The group spent plenty of time together. Beside participating in daily master classes and cramming into the same dorm, they took a bus trip to Omaha on Tuesday to visit the pipe organ in the St. Cecilia Cathedral and listened to the Wurlitzer Theater Organ inside a private residence.
The bus didn’t return to Lincoln until 10:30 p.m., yet the students didn’t seem to mind.
After all, they auditioned to participate.
“You can never be completely perfect,” Gaskin said. “But you’re trying to become better everywhere you go. This really focuses you on doing that.”
The students wrapped up the encounter with a couple of recitals Friday, including one at First Presbyterian Church and another at Saint Paul United Methodist.
“This group of students is impressively talented and advanced,” Marks said. “They’re the future of our profession.”
Reach Michael McHale at 473-7254 or at mmchale@journalstar.com.
They dragged themselves from lessons to classes to recitals and demonstrations. The days were long, and the practices intense.
But nothing really wore down the teens who visited Lincoln for the first-ever Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced this week. A group of 18 students and a handful of faculty went from church to church playing and learning about pipe organs.
“We’re not here for the services,” said Eric Fricke, 15, of Scottsdale, Ariz., “so we don’t get to drink any wine.”
The high school students came from Maine, Georgia, Florida, California and elsewhere. They had to audition to participate in the first-ever advanced encounter, which lasted Monday to Friday and was hosted by the Lincoln chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Pipe organ encounters have been going on for 20 years, event director Christopher Marks said, and several take place around the country annually.
But a flaw developed — the same kids were attending the same encounters, and they were learning introductory skills every time. The national chapter of the American Guild of Organists decided to create an advanced event, and it chose Lincoln to host the first one. Students recorded their auditions and sent them by mail. Not everyone qualified to participate.
“It’s great,” said Samuel Gaskin, 16, of Beaumont, Texas. “There are more people who really know what they’re doing. Some people were beginners in the regular Pipe Organ Encounters.”
The week in Lincoln began with the water shutting off in Neihardt Hall, where the kids bunked up during their stay. Before digging into lessons and performing in front of peers, the youths were using bottled water to brush their teeth.
They had 7 a.m. breakfasts and 8 a.m. lessons. Individual faculty members worked with two students each morning before sending them off to classes.
“It’s very intense,” Fricke said. “We’re running all the time.”
Still, a few used their breaks to play the piano in the dormitory. Others volunteered to perform organ solos with their feet.
Everyone had a knack for music.
The youths studied subjects such as theory and improvisation. They learned the art of pipe-making from local organ-maker Gene Bedient, and the skill of composition from Dallas native and church musician Joel Martinson.
Those classes were non-existent in previous encounters. Professors from across the nation volunteered their services for the program. Faculty members arrived from Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, The Juilliard School in New York City and Oberlin (Ohio) College, to name a few.
“This is the age group that I work with (at Interlochen),” organ instructor Thomas Bara said. “It’s a great age to teach. They’re so open.”
Several University of Nebraska-Lincoln professors offered their help, too, including Marks, who has served as an assistant professor of organs since 2006.
He said Lincoln has an unusual number of good organs for its size, and it’s a convenient spot to host a national encounter. It’s also a good place for students to spend a few days.
“They’re all very enthusiastic,” Marks said. “They keep coming back because they enjoy being around other students who love organs.”
The group spent plenty of time together. Beside participating in daily master classes and cramming into the same dorm, they took a bus trip to Omaha on Tuesday to visit the pipe organ in the St. Cecilia Cathedral and listened to the Wurlitzer Theater Organ inside a private residence.
The bus didn’t return to Lincoln until 10:30 p.m., yet the students didn’t seem to mind.
After all, they auditioned to participate.
“You can never be completely perfect,” Gaskin said. “But you’re trying to become better everywhere you go. This really focuses you on doing that.”
The students wrapped up the encounter with a couple of recitals Friday, including one at First Presbyterian Church and another at Saint Paul United Methodist.
“This group of students is impressively talented and advanced,” Marks said. “They’re the future of our profession.”
Reach Michael McHale at 473-7254 or at mmchale@journalstar.com.
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