Baylor University Works To Solve Organist Shortage

by Dick Veit
While churches nationwide bemoan the shortage of organists, the Baylor University School of Music is helping solve that problem with its third Pipe Organ Encounter for Adults, to be held June 27 through July 1 on the Baylor campus. The week-long camp is co-sponsored by the American Guild of Organists and the Central Texas AGO chapter.
"This program started as an accelerated introduction to the organ for pianists and also as a way for organists to improve their skills," said Dr. Joyce Jones, The Joyce Oliver Bowden Professor of Organ and Organist-in-Residence at Baylor, who serves as camp director.
The daily classes cover church service playing, organ registration, pedal technique and improvisation, plus daily organ lessons and evening recitals. The week also includes a hymn festival and a concluding program featuring the week's participants.
In order to allow students ample time to perform on one of Baylor's 10 organs, enrollment for the Pipe Organ Encounter is limited to 20. For more information or to receive a brochure, contact Karen Johnson at (254) 710-1417. The cost for the week is $325, which includes tuition, housing and all meals.
Baylor is also sponsoring a Summer Organ Institute for students ages 11-18 on June 12-17. Enrollment for that camp is full for this summer, but students may request to be placed on an advance list for the 2006 camp.