Music department concert features Eastman organists in Sage Chapel

In previous seasons, the Department of Music has presented two renowned organists in concert, both on the faculty of the Eastman School of Music: David Higgs, this past March on the Sage Chapel organ, and Hans Davidsson, who played a dedication recital on the 1746 Vicedomini organ, housed in Anabel Taylor Chapel, in March 2001. These two artist/teachers bring four students from Eastman's Organ Department to Sage Chapel on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 8 p.m. to present a program of works by seven different composers, including movements from Louis Vierne's Symphonies 2 and 5, Felix Mendelssohn's Fifth Sonata, Jehan Alain's Deuxieme Fantasie, and Introduction and Passacaglia in F Minor by Max Reger.

Rico Contenti, Steven Fraser, Jungwha Kim and Michelle Martin are typical Eastman organ students in that they all currently hold church positions in the Rochester area, are competition winners and aspire to become performers and church musicians, as well as teachers.

The tradition of organ study at Eastman has been extraordinary since the founding of the school, and organ alumni hold many of the country's most important church and university positions. Organ students are prepared rigorously for multifaceted careers as church musicians, teachers and concert performers. Studies in organ literature and performance practices, organ maintenance and design, organ pedagogy, conducting, keyboard skills, jazz improvisation, organ improvisation and liturgical music give Eastman students the skills they need to become leaders in the profession. Bachelor of music, master of music and doctor of musical arts degrees are offered, as well as a newly approved sacred music diploma. In addition to performing in weekly studio classes, all organ students give annual public recitals and are encouraged to take advantage of the abundant performance and employment opportunities in local churches.