Lessons For A New Generation Of Organists

By Tanjua Damon

The strains of organ pipes could be heard Tuesday around Newtown as participants of Pipe Organ Encounter at Western Connecticut State University practiced on three local organs.

Newtown Congregational Church, Trinity Episcopal Church and Newtown Meeting House organs came into good use for participants in this year’s Pipe Organ Encounter program. Twenty-four students in high school and college from New England, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Chile registered for the week-long program that gives them a closer look at the ins and outs of the organ. The students also take trips to various places that have organs.

The American Guild of Organists and WestConn are sponsoring the week-long program. There are 21 chapters of the Guild in the New England region. Twelve instructors have been working with the musicians.

“They have to have basic piano technique,” regional counselor Lois Toeppner said.  “They’ve learned how to use their two hands playing the piano. Now they have to learn to play with their two feet.”

 “I wanted to learn more about the organ,” said Elizabeth Bergman of Danville, Vt. “I heard about this a few months ago and thought it would be a good way to learn about it.”

Rachel Harvester from Norwell, Mass., finds the pipe organ interesting.

“I like the way it sounds,” Miss Harvester said. “There’s more keys and there’s pedals. You can’t change the volume by hitting the keys harder. I want to learn more and be able to play it well.”

Maria Coffin, an organist at Trinity Episcopal Church, took time out of her schedule to help Ilana Ofgang of New Fairfield play the newly restored pipe organ at Newtown Meeting House.

“Because older organists are not being replaced,” Ms Coffin said, “this provides organists for the future.”

Miss Ofgang is studying music at Western Connecticut State University and already plays the organ at United Methodist Church in New Fairfield.

“I’m originally a pianist,” she said. “I wanted to expand my organ knowledge and go a little more in depth with it.”

Organist Malcolm Wechsler, who has been playing for 50 years, thinks giving students an opportunity to experience playing an organ can provide a way to spark interest in future playing.

“I think the organ is wonderful,” he said. “I think something as wonderful and beautiful as this shouldn’t be neglected.”