The Young Organists thread...

[KB7DQH]

Oddly enough, this story does not list current or future concert activity, still a really inspirational news article...

At the time, Mark, who is now 13, was 5 or 6 years old and had begun playing the piano only a short time before. In the years since, the Dallas Middle School student has played renowned organs in music conservatories and churches up and down the East Coast, including the famed Wanamaker Organ in Macy's Department Store in Philadelphia. He's also used his remarkable skills to raise more than $2,500 for charities, including a concert to benefit the Luzerne County SPCA earlier this month that raised more than $600.

He's come a long way since his public musical debut when he was 7 and played the Doxology in a church service. Mark attributes much of his knowledge of music to a combination of Internet study and the local adult organists who have explained the instrument to him and allowed him to play organs in various churches, including the organ Pall calls his favorite: the large pipe organ in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre.

"Oh yeah, that's a big one!" Pall said. "Eighty-some ranks and it's got some nice trumpets!"

Well, not specifically...

But the family encourages Mark's love of music and supports him as he plays every third Sunday at Orange United Methodist Church and when he does his annual holiday concerts. His father said what charity the money goes to and even whether the concert happens at all is always up to Mark.

http://www.timesleader.com/features/13-year-old_organist_Mark_Pall_is_a_true_talent_12-12-2010.html


Eric
KB7DQH

[KB7DQH]

This young organist hails from Down Under...
http://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/music/sunshine-coast-teen-tim-williams-13-is-the-youngest-winner-of-a-prestigious-musical-bursary/story-e6freqgx-1226075231917

WHEN Tim Williams went to an Easter church service with his grandparents in the US as an eight-year-old, he heard a sound that changed his life.

The uplifting strains of a pipe organ awakened his musical passion and he told parents Paul and Shelley that he must learn to play one.

The Williams family, who now live at Tewantin, supported his dream and, now 13, Tim has become the youngest recipient of the Walter Monz Organ Bursary at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. The $2500 prize goes towards lessons with acclaimed musician and mentor Christopher Wrench in Brisbane.

Tim, a member of Sunshine Beach State High's music excellence program, loves the "huge sound" and emotion evoked by the pipe organ.

See Tim playing Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach (YouTube video)

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Opportunities are rare for professional organists here, but he hopes to one day play in churches in the instrument's heartland of Europe.

His teacher, Mr Wrench, said Tim had a rare gift for the pipe organ, one of the most physically challenging instruments to play.

"It requires the use of both hands and feet and the other great challenge is that each organ is different and you have to work out how to get the best sounds," he said.

"Tim has tremendous aptitude and passion for the organ and together these things bring success."

Tim comes from a musical family and his parents, both teachers and writers, play guitar.

"He grew up with folk rock, but his love of classical music has inspired us. I've even taken up the violin," mum Shelley said.

And the link to his Youtube video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spxtuv_Oax0

Eric
KB7DQH

[KB7DQH]

http://www.lisburntoday.co.uk/community/jonathan_wins_three_year_organ_scholarship_1_2802868

SEVENTEEN -year-old Jonathan Houston from Hillsborough has been awarded a three year organ scholarship.

A member of Hillsborough Parish Church Jonathan is a pupil at Banbridge Academy, where he studies A level Music, plays the clarinet, acoustic guitar and piano.

As an active member of Hillsborough Parish Church he relishes every time he gets to play the Snetzler Pipe Organ there.

He is also a member of the Hillsborough Bell Ringing Team and has won the Best Young Ringer cup three times and rings regularly for services.

The Scholarship Scheme was established to train musicians in the service of the church, both at the organ and in leading the choir. Jonathan is both proud and excited that he was chosen and is eagerly looking forward to its commemcement in September.

Eric
KB7DQH

[KB7DQH]

http://www.kimmelcenter.org/events/?id=4163

Free at the Kimmel

Student Showcase Recitals:

Pipe Organ at Curtis
Teen Summer Arts Camp
Curtis Institute of Music
Thursday, June 30   12pm   

Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street

Teen Summer Arts Camp students share various pieces from their Pipe Organ repertoire. This dynamic showcase of student musicians follows their weeklong intensive technique and pedagogical instruction with talented guest and teaching artists. Don't miss this memorable recital by tomorrow's rising organ stars!

Eric
KB7DQH