Crystal Lake South Student is Organist for a Day
Kristin Lundine, a senior at Crystal Lake South High School and a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake, participated in the “Organist for a Day” workshop on Oct. 15 in Chicago along with 20 other youth from Chicago and the suburbs.
The event was sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and was open to piano students in seventh through 12th grades.
The purpose was to introduce piano students to some of the great pipe organs of Chicago and spark an interest in organ playing.
The day began at Holy Name Cathedral.
There was an introduction by Dr. Elizabeth Naegele, sub-dean of the Chicago Chapter, followed by an organ demonstration by the cathedral’s organist, Dr. Ricardo Ramirez.
After the introduction, students took turns playing the cathedral’s two tracker (mechanical action) organs.
The mighty Flentrop organ, built in the Netherlands, is comprised of 71 stops, 117 ranks, 5,558 pipes, distributed over four manuals and pedal.
The Casavant Freres chancel organ, built in Canada, is comprised of two manuals, 19 stops, 25 ranks, & 1284 pipes.
At 10 a.m., the group walked over to Moody Bible Institute to see a theater-type organ built by Moller in Hagerstown, Md.
Naegele, professor of organ at Moody, explained how the organ differed from the tracker organs at Holy Name and led a demonstration of the organ.
The potential young organists were divided into small groups for a hands-on experience for one hour on the college’s four organs.
After lunch, Dr. David Schrader, principal organist of the Chicago Symphony, led the afternoon session at the Church of the Ascension on LaSalle Street.
The featured organ was a Schlicker built in Buffalo, N.Y.
Dr. Schrader demonstrated the different sounds of the organ which was followed by a brilliant and impressive performance.
After a question and answer session, the students had an opportunity to try the organ while the master teacher looked on.
The American Guild of Organists is totally committed to the education and promotion of young organists.
In July, Chicago will be the host of the National AGO Convention in honor of the Chicago Chapter’s 100th birthday.
– Daily Herald reports