The University of Michigan’s 60th Annual Organ Conference will be in an online format this year, from October 5-10, 2020. The focus of the conference will be how we as organists, harpsichordists, carillonists, and sacred musicians can use our art to come together, build community, and support, comfort and heal. We've created a series of live-streamed lectures and pre-recorded performances that address these important and immediate issues which you may access easily through the Organ Conference website during the conference week and later through the university archives. All events may be viewed free of charge. Please join us throughout the week of October 5-10 at 12:00 noon and 8:00 pm EDT!
Monday, October 5
12:00 Noon EDT:
“Dissension” for trombone and organ (premiere)
Kaelan Hansson, graduate organ student and PhD candidate in Aerospace Engineering, composer / Prof. David Jackson, University of Michigan, trombone / Dr. James Kibbie, University of Michigan, organ
High Tech and Low Tech: Ways to Preserve the Church Choir During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Jackson Merrill, graduate student in Organ Performance
8:00 pm EDT:
Leading in Times of Vast Change: Courage to Lead Congregations through Times of Tumult
Dr. Darlene Kuperus, University of Michigan
Sarah Hescheles, Restoring Waters Consulting
Tuesday, October 6
12:00 Noon EDT:
Chris DeBlasio, Serenade for organ and violin
Jeremy David Tarrant, University of Michigan, organ
Phoebe Gelzer-Govatos, violin
Planning the Ecumenical Service with African American Organ Literature
Sylvia Wall, graduate student in Sacred Music
8:00 pm EDT:
Organists as Innovators
Michael Barone, Pipedreams, American Public Media
Wednesday, October 7
12:00 Noon EDT:
Music for Soprano and Organ
Katharine Ball Meagher, guest artist, soprano
Dr. Andrew Meagher, Organ Department staff, organ
Living Voices: Sharon Willis and Harriet Tubman
Sarah Simko, Doctoral candidate in Organ Performance
8:00 pm EDT:
Music and Message:
A Case Study in Spiritual Programing for College Students
Dr. José “Peppie” Calvar, Syracuse University
Rev. Brian Konkol, Syracuse University
Dr. Anne Laver, Syracuse University
Thursday, October 8
12:00 Noon EDT:
Carillon Collaboration
Joey Brink, University of Chicago
8:00 pm EDT:
Visualizing Collaborative Sound
Ryan Mueller, Dobson Pipe Organ Builders
Friday, October 9
12:00 Noon EDT:
Challenging Conventions:
Student Perspectives on Collaboration on the Carillon
University of Michigan carillon students Anthony DiBello, Michelle Lam,
Isaac Levine, Kavitha Lobo, and Jenna Moon
Taking Turns: Ascanio Mayone and His Collaborators
Kaelan Hansson, graduate organ student and PhD candidate in Aerospace Engineering
8:00 pm EDT:
Audience Collaboration in 18th-Century Keyboard Improvisation
Dr. John Mortensen, Cedarville University
Saturday, October 10
12:00 Noon EDT:
“Cetus: Life After Life” for carillon
and amplified whale song recordings (Michigan premiere)
Dr. Tiffany Ng, University of Michigan, carillon
Annie Lewandowski, Cornell University, composer
Katy Payne, Cornell University, acoustic biologist
8:00 pm EDT:
Closing Concert
Dr. Joseph Gascho, University of Michigan, harpsichord
University of Michigan ensemble players