organ study at unm

faculty Arlene DeYoung Ward, 505-277-2127, award@unm.edu instruments A stunning feature of UNM's Keller Hall is its renowned Holtkamp organ. The instrument was designed shortly before Walter Holtkamp's death in 1962, and is the organ pictured in the 2001 edition of The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (Vol. 18, p. 635). A small pipe organ is also available for student use in the practice room area. Acceptance into studio Acceptance into the organ studio will be by audition only.  Auditions will be held during the first week of the semester.

AUDITION REPERTOIRe

• Repertoire for the audition must be a major piece by a classical (not popular) composer.
• Entering freshmen without prior organ experience should prepare repertoire at an advanced level.
• Transferring students or students with prior organ experience should prepare a major organ piece for the audition.
• Examples of acceptable solo repertoire for the audition include:
  • a Prelude or Fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach*
  • a movement of a Mendelssohn Sonata
  • one piece from Franck’s “Selected Works for Organ,” Schirmer Ed. Number 1491
  • one piece from the student’s special interest, e.g., Spanish organ literature
  • contemporary classical organ literature of a level of difficulty as the above

  * NOTE:  The Eight Little Preludes and Fugues are not acceptable audition material.  Formerly attributed to J. S. Bach, these are thought by virtually all contemporary scholars to be student works composed, most likely, by students of J. S. Bach and not by Bach himself.

STUDIO REQUIREMENTS

It is expected that organ students will be full-time music majors, enrolled in the proper music theory, music history and ensemble courses, as well as in MUS 101 Concert Music. 

Sightreading ability is required of all organ majors.

All jury and recital solo repertoire must be memorized, a requirement for all keyboard majors.  The Junior and Senior Recital will consist of at least three major solo works, memorized, and a fourth ensemble piece played with other musicians.  The ensemble piece need not be memorized.