Organ Academy

The Virtual Oberlin Summer Organ Academy

June 21-26, 2020 

 Register

The Oberlin Organ Academy goes online this year with remarkable experiences for every level of organ instruction: beginning, intermediate, and advanced.

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

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!

Faculty

Jonathan W. Moyer, David S. Boe chair and assistant professor of organ
Christa Rakich, visiting professor of organ
David Kazimir, curator of organs

Register for the level of your choice!

The registration fee is $25.

Level One ($250)

Three lessons, three classes, organ demonstrations, and community events

Level Two ($100)

One lesson, one class, organ demonstrations, and community events

Level Three - Single Event Registration

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

Program Detail

Private Lessons

60-minute lessons will include individualized instruction via the Zoom platform (see computer requirements). 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.

Academic Classes

Organ Literature - Two 60-minute sessions will provide an overview of the development of the organ from antiquity to the present day, along with resources for study and listening.

Organ Construction and Design - Two 60-minute sessions offer 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 - One 60-minute session that 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."

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 - Performances by 17 participants of the 2020 Organ Academy. Pieces were recorded in homes and churches across the country and released online on August 2, 2020.