Marygrove College to Host Workshop to Encourage New Organists

Detroit, Michigan-- According to The American Guild of Organists, there is a growing shortage of trained organists nationwide. To help alleviate this problem, on Sunday, June 13, the Department of Music at Marygrove College will host a free workshop entitled, “The Four Families of Sounds,” to expose the community to the positive aspects of being an organist and to encourage organ study. It is open to adults and children with or without keyboard experience and will take place at Marygrove College, 8425 W. McNichols Rd., 3:00-5:00 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel.

“There is an urgent need for organists. I receive phone calls and letters from pastors regularly pleading for names of organists to fill positions,” said Elaine Grover, associate professor of music at Marygrove College. “We must continue to develop programs such as this workshop to introduce the pipe organ to people of all ages and to encourage them in the profession. It would be a sad commentary for the next generations to not experience the beauty and power of pipe organ music and worship.”

The workshop will feature Wayne Leupold as clinician. Leupold studied organ at the University of Michigan and Eastman School of Music. He holds a bachelor’s of music and a bachelor’s of arts degree from Valparaiso University and a master’s in music in organ performance from Syracuse University. Elaine Grover, Craig Symons, and David Palmer will also give presentations. In addition, organists Joan Iwankovitsch, Annette Wright, Jeanine Reaume, and Steve Hansen will demonstrate the four families of sounds that produce the organ’s marvelous variety of colors.

The day of the workshop, participants may register for three free group lessons. Students may continue the lessons for a fee.

For more information, contact Elaine Grover at (313) 927-1255 or Jamie Babcock at (313) 927-1383.

This workshop is part of Marygrove’s Onstage! program, a multidisciplinary, community-focused, arts outreach effort directed to children, adolescents, adults, and teachers within the metro Detroit region, with particular emphasis on the City of Detroit. The activities of Onstage! are made possible in part with support of The Whitney Fund, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the City of Detroit Neighborhood Opportunity Fund. ###