Premier Recital

My first professional organ recital, held on Sunday, 25 April 2010, went better than I could ever have hoped. We were expecting somewhere between 25 and 40 people to attend. Over 90 were in attendance. We had a goal to raise $350 to pay the tuition for me to attend a POE in Indiana this summer, I didn't think we would raise half that. We raised over $900 in free-will donations.

It was one thing that there were so many people there, but it was just as wonderful to note who they were. My family was there of course, and my Great Aunt and Grandmother visiting from Vermont and Boston. People from the church were there, friends from school were there, other organists were there, the dean of our AGO chapter was there, total strangers were there! It was wonderful!

I've already began practicing new repertoire in preperation for my next concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Bloomsburg. I've been working on Messiaen's 'Apparition de l'Eglise Eternelle', BWV 556, BWV 557, BWV 559, the big, grand Prelude and Fugue in D Major BWV 532, and am going to start work on Franck's 'Piece Heroique'. In the upcoming years, I hope to have several organ concerts each year.

This premier recital was an incredible start to what I believe will be a fruitful career as a musician, performer, and teacher.

My Premier Organ Concert

I have finally set a date and time for my premier organ recital. I will be playing a program of Bach, Franck, Boellmann, and Messiaen at the First Presbyterian Church of Bloomsburg, PA at 3:00 on the 25th of April 2010. Admission is free. There will be a free will offering to raise money for me to attend the POE at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music this summer. This POE will help me gain skills to become a better organist. With the help of the teachers at the Jacobs School of Music and the skills I will learn there, I hope to play numerous concerts next year and in the succeeding years.