Summer Institutes Seek To Solve The Shortage Of Organists

by Richard Veit

The Baylor University School of Music will present two summer organ institutes June 10-16 and June 17-22. Both institutes are under the direction of Dr. Joyce Jones, the Joyce Oliver Bowden professor of music and Organist-in-Residence at Baylor.
The institutes are designed to teach pianists how to play the organ and to give organists an opportunity to enhance their skills. The first session is for students ages 12 to 19. The cost is $350.
Designed to meet the shortage of organists, the Pipe Organ Encounter Plus, June 17-22, is an educational outreach of the American Guild of Organists. It is open to adult pianists and organists of any level. The cost is $300.
"We are not trying to replace music week at Glorieta nor the Texas Baptist Church Music Conferences," said Jones. "Rather, this is a hands-on approach, providing ample time for practice on the 12 organs on the Baylor campus, plus individual lessons and classes on hymn and service playing, organ registration, pedal technique, accompanying and improvisation. Through these two institutes, we hope to help solve the shortage of organists and provide more organists for churches."
For more information or to receive a registration form, please contact the School of Music at 254) 710-1417 or e-mail Joyce_Jones@baylor.edu .