Summer Organ Academy

Baroque organ demonstration at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, NY, July 12, 2023.

Application deadline now extended to May 1, 2024!

NOTE: Eastman’s Student Living Center will be completely closed for renovations during Summer 2024; on-campus housing and dining will not be available. All participants will need to make their own arrangements for housing and meals.

INS 432
Summer Organ Academy
July 8-11, 2024 / Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with evening concerts

Faculty: David Higgs, Nathan Laube, Edoardo Bellotti, Stephen Kennedy, William Porter
Coordinator: Ryan Chan

Locations: ESM Schmitt Organ Recital Hall, Asbury First United Methodist Church, Christ Church, Incarnate Word Lutheran Church, Memorial Art Gallery, Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. Paul’s Church, Third Presbyterian Church

Come experience the thriving pipe organ culture at Eastman in this four-day intensive workshop for collegiate and postgraduate organists. Each day will include private and group instruction from world-renowned performers and pedagogues, as well as daily access to a wide variety of instruments. Participants will have the opportunity to perform in master classes focusing on repertoire, sacred music skills, improvisation, and technique. Additionally, students will attend lectures that include topics such as:

  • Practice techniques
  • Figured bass and improvisation
  • History and context of organ repertoire
  • Anthem accompaniment
  • Hymn playing

The program will conclude with two participant concerts on Thursday in Christ Church and in Third Presbyterian Church.

HOW TO APPLY:
This institute is designed for collegiate and postgraduate players age 18+ (our high school institute is planned to return in 2025). No audition is required; admission is by résumé review only. To apply, contact Ryan Chan, Summer Organ Academy Coordinator, at wchan16@u.Rochester.edu; include your music résumé with your message (use this template if you need help putting a résumé together). Application deadline: May 1, 2024.

For more information, including a schedule and a list of instruments used for study, please visit: http://www.esm.rochester.edu/organ

Orientation: Sunday, July 7, 2024 at 6 p.m. in Schmitt Hall
Participant Concerts: Thursday, July 11 (morning and afternoon) at Christ Church and Third Presbyterian Church (Rochester, NY)

Tuition:
$590 / noncredit only

“I learned a lot in a short period of time, and it was wonderful to be immersed in the Rochester organ world for a week.” — 2023 Summer Organ Academy participant

Click HERE to register

Read our blog: Summer@Eastman Spotlight: Summer Organ Academy