Maggie Kemper
After 12 years of piano study, it was my senior year in high school when I began studying the organ at the urging of my mother. I decided to major in organ at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. After 2 years of study I was not accomplishing much, and began thinking that I either had to change my major or change schools. Fortunately I met with my organ professor, Arthur Carkeek and my Advisor, who was the cello professor at DePauw and they encouraged me to stick with it. It was like overnight everything clicked and I was determined to work hard. A year and a half later I received a Fulbright Scholarship to study with André Marchal in Paris (which turned out to be two years).
I am so grateful for the wise advice I received. Upon my return to the U.S. I received a Master’s degree in organ from Northwestern, and I have taught and performed ever since. Travels have included recitals in the U.S., Moscow, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the Ukraine. It was a wonderful experience, too, studying in 1967 at the 3-week Summer Academy for Organists in Haarlem, the Netherlands, with Marie-Claire Alain and Anton Heiller.
My best years include involvement in the AGO, both locally and nationally – 16 years on the National Council, 4 years as President, being Illinois State Chairman and Region V Councillor, and 50+ years with the North Shore Chapter. Needless to say, I am so glad that I did not give up the organ in college!! I am very grateful to all of our North Shore Chapter members for your friendship, support, and kindness for so many years. It is a gift to be forever cherished.
With much love and appreciation,
Maggie Kemper