The Classical Organ – It’s Not Just For Funerals Anymore
By Dr. Jeannine Jordan
If you are a lover of classical organ music, a church organist, an organ teacher, or a concert organist, you know you are part of a small group of people-in fact a very small subset of the small group of classical musicians-who know and understand this amazing instrument. If you are like me, you want to share this incredible instrument with the world. But, how do we start? How do we introduce the world of the organ to someone who may never have heard a classical organ except in the context of the Phantom of the Operaor a funeral?
- Invite a friend to attend an organ concert with you. Give your friend an idea of what they might not only hear but also see at the concert. Describe the myriad of sounds, the visual of a pipe fa�ade, the intricate cockpit-like console, and the work an organist does with not only her hands but also her feet as well to create the music. Share your enthusiasm!
- Listen to organ CDs and share your favorites with a family member or friend. If you are the organ music lover in your home, do not go into hiding with your iPod. Instead, choose an organ piece your sibling or friend may have heard in another context (such as Phantom of the Opera) and share that piece with them. Yes, some organ pieces are very popular and can build a bridge to introducing some of your favorite but more esoteric pieces. Share your enthusiasm!
- Share links of your favorite YouTubeorganist videos with a young person. YouTubeis a great place to introduce the organ. Videos reach both the auditory and visual learner and explorer. For someone new to the organ, just seeing this incredible instrument and hearing the awesome sounds it can create will make them want to experience more of the world of the organ. Share your enthusiasm!
- Provide organ lessons for a student. Have you seen children or adults hanging around the choir loft after church just to get a glimpse of the organist? Offer several months of organ lessons to give that person a chance to experience the organ. I was one of those kids who watched the church organist play her postlude week after week. Due to the astute observation of my piano teacher who saw my interest in the “King of Instruments” and encouraged my parents to include organ lessons in my music study, I am now a concert organist.
Dr. Jeannine Jordan has made music her life. She is a performer and teacher and loves sharing her music and helping others realize their goals of becoming organists and pianists. http://www.promotionmusic.org
Jeannine received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Oregon specializing in Classical Organ performance with additional studies in Class Piano Pedagogy.
She also actively performs throughout the world and is known for her unique programming which strives to bring music alive for her audiences. Find out more about Jeannine at http://www.promotionmusic.org and the new book On The Heels of an Organist.
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