Have you ever thought about how difficult it is to practice the pipe organ? It’s definitely not a portable instrument, and it’s too large and expensive to have in one’s home. Organists have to practice on-site, at a church, often at random times fit in between other church events. For an organist who is not affiliated with a church, and particularly for young people just starting to learn the organ, arranging time for practice can be a daunting experience.

One of the missions of the American Guild of Organists is to provide encouragement and opportunities for young organists, and this month the Guild will be presenting a Pipe Organ Encounter in Northampton. These are weeklong seminars for young student organists to study with some of the best organists and organ teachers in the country, and to play and practice on a variety of excellent pipe organs. Northampton is an ideal location for a Pipe Organ Encounter, primarily because there are four excellent pipe organs in the city: St. John’s Episcopal Church, John M. Greene Hall, First Churches, and Edwards Church. I’m very pleased that Edwards Church will be one of the participating churches this year.

From July 10 to 15, organ students ages 13 to 18 from across the country will participate in organ lessons and master classes, learning about service playing, organ literature, and the construction and design of pipe organs. Perhaps most importantly, the students will be able to meet and interact with others who share their interest in pipe organs.

This is truly a unique educational opportunity, and I’m delighted to be sharing the Edwards Church organ with an up-and-coming generation of church organists.

For more information on the Pipe Organ Encounter, please click here.