Davis Redman
I learned about the Organ Scholarship Initiative from a Northshore AGO member and was very interested in applying for the program, but a little hesitant thinking that I was outside of the ideal age range, even though there wasn’t a specific range listed. When I received word that I had been chosen to participate, I was excited but nervous! I wasn’t sure my skill level was adequate to participate, or that my crude knowledge of the organ would make the lessons worthwhile. However, I was lucky enough to participate in three lessons from Susan Klotzbach at Kenilworth Union Church.
The first lesson was very nerve-racking, but Susan made me feel at ease. She did a great job at structuring the lessons in a way that I got the most out of the hour-long lesson. In three lessons, I increased my knowledge about registrations, how to mark my music in regard to playing the pedalboard, how to play the pedalboard properly, the reasoning behind playing different stanzas of hymns in different registrations, and the importance of leading a congregation in singing hymns with the organ. Susan was a great encourager and greatly increased my confidence in playing the instrument. I had recently started practicing on the organ before participating in the Organ Scholarship Initiative. Even though I only had three lessons, I could tell that my skill level improved dramatically in that short period of time. Thanks to this program, I had the confidence to play the organ at The Moody Church this past fall during Open House Chicago! It was great to sit down with someone who was willing to take the time to explain this complicated instrument to me and to help me grow in the skill of playing it.