Organ Workshops

Sweelinck Studies: June 14-18, 2021

Oberlin Summer Organ Academy: June 20-25, 2021

 RegisteR  Registrations received until program is filled.

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We are excited to offer two virtual programs this year for every level of organ instruction: beginning, intermediate, and advanced.

Open to those in middle school and older! Yes, adults too!

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Sweelinck Studies: Observing the 400th Anniversary of the death of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621)

5-day Zoom Course (daily from 10:00am-12:00noon)
    Full course - $685
    Masterclasses: $125 per session (observation only)
    Zoom Course: $100 per course

Session I: Life and Legacy
Session II: Performance Practice Then and Now
Session III: Variation Forms, Secular and Sacred
Session IV: Toccatas
Session V: Fantasias and Other Works

Zoom Masterclasses
Three 90-minute masterclasses offer opportunities for full-course students to submit recorded performances for critique. Up to 9 performers will be selected based on the application and pre-submitted recording of any keyboard work by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck on organ, harpsichord, or clavichord.

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Organ Academy June 20-25, 2021

Two package programs and options for single events offer a variety of choices for each student and every budget, including private lessons, academic classes, community events, virtual tours, and organ demonstrations.

The Academy will culminate in a live-streamed concert on Oberlin's renowned concert organs. Even though we can't be together in person, we can still connect.

Join us this summer in Oberlin....wherever you are!

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Register for the level of your choice...

     Level One ($285) - All Academy events, including three private lessons
     Level Two ($135) - One lesson, one class, organ demonstrations, and community events
     Level Three - Single Event Registration, and community events
          Lessons: $75
          Classes: $75
          Organ Demonstrations: $50

     Level Four - Community Events
          Introduction to Oberlin and Virtual Tour of the Organ Collection
          Live-streamed faculty recital
          Q & A with Faculty, Staff, and Students

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Program Detail

Private Lessons
50-minute lessons will include individualized instruction via the Zoom platform. Lessons will consist of evaluation of submitted recordings from the student and consultation on topics such as educational resources, practice techniques, using the piano to develop organ technique, and other areas of inquiry. Consultations with the student's local private teacher are also possible. Other lessons will include introduction to the harpsichord, clavichord, and improvisation.

Classes and Demos (50 minutes)
Organ Literature - One session will provide an overview of the development of the organ from antiquity to the present day, along with resources for study and listening.

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
This class will explore the remarkable life and legacy of one of the most remarkable keyboard performers and instructors of the 17th century, whose influence continues beyond the 400 years since his death in 1621.

Organ Construction and Design
An overview of the mechanical design and development of the organ across the centuries, including a tutorial on the rudiments of tuning and temperament.

The Sacred Musician
This class examines the profession of the sacred musician from both a historical and contemporary perspective, with guidance on how to prepare for a lifetime of creative work that both inspires and "pays the rent."

Hymnody
A rousing game of "Name that Tune" with discussion of hymns everyone should know and where they came from. Whether you were raised in one denomination, or several or none, a church job is likely to become part of your life.

Our Siblings
This session explores the clavichords, harpsichords, and pedal piano in the Oberlin collection, with particular focus on music of the baroque, how our ancestors composed for "keyboard," and the level of versatility expected of a musician in the 18th century.

Beginning Improvisation
Why do some students "latch on" to improvisation techniques and become serious improvisers quickly, while others struggle? What are the basic skills everyone needs to have in order to advance with ease and joy? We will discuss the basics of music theory and experiment with exercises to implant a harmonic vocabulary into your hands, so that techniques and patterns become "automatic." Students will need zoom access at a keyboard.

The Oberlin Community
Introduction to Oberlin and Virtual Tour of the Organ Collection - Even though you can't be on campus, come with us on this live guided tour of the campus and its amazing instrument collection.

Organ Demonstrations
In-depth examinations and performances on our most famous instruments, including the Fisk organ in Finney Chapel (French Romantic style), the Flentrop and Harrold organs in Warner Concert Hall (North German and Spanish style), the Brombaugh organs in Fairchild Chapel, and the Bozeman-Gibson organ in Peace Church (Silbermann style).

Q & A with Faculty, Staff, and Students
This session allows students to ask questions about all things in Oberlin—auditions, student life, lessons, practice rooms, social activities—the sky's the limit.

Live-streamed Faculty Concert
Live from Finney Chapel, Fairchild Chapel, and Warner Concert Hall, played by Oberlin Faculty.

Virtual Student Concert
Recorded performances by participants of the 2021 Organ Academy will be presented in a Youtube premier concert event.