Summer Organ Academy

Academy faculty

 Christopher Young

Christopher Young is a Professor of Music at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Bloomington, Indiana, where he teaches applied organ and graduate organ literature courses. Dr. Young has been a featured artist, given classes and performances, and presented at church music clinics, pedagogy conferences, and national and regional conventions of the American Guild of Organists. Dr. Young serves as organist of First Presbyterian Church, Bloomington.

Janette Fishell

Janette Fishell is Professor of Organ & Chair of the Organ Department at the Jacobs School of Music. Internationally recognized as a recitalist, teacher, and church musician, she received the 2014 Paul Creston Award, presented annually to “a distinguished artist who is a significant figure in church music”.

Jeffrey Smith

Jeffrey Smith is Professor of Practice: Organ and Sacred Music. He was music director at St. Paul’s Parish, K Street, in Washington D.C. and previously Canon Director of Music at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.  Smith earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Yale University. He also studied at the Royal College of Music, London. Smith is a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists and the Royal School of Church Music.

Schedule

2023 Organ Academy Schedule
DateEvent
July 16Welcome Party (Forest, 6-7PM)
July 17Opening Faculty Recital – Fisk organ, (Auer Hall, 8PM)
July 20JOA Student Recital – Fritts organ (First Presbyterian Church, 7PM)
July 21Lunchtime Organ Recital – Fisk organ (IMU Alumni Hall, 1:15PM)
July 22Closing Recital – Fisk organ (Auer Hall, 7PM)

Fees and deadlines

Fees and Deadlines for 2026 Coming Soon

Audition requirements

Important notes: 1) For general applications, no audition is required. 2) If the applicant has no background in organ study, letters of recommendation and the repertoire list should give a clear picture of accomplishment on the piano, including technical studies, in order for faculty to assess how best to evaluate the application. 3) Attendees may be asked to purchase appropriate music and organ shoes in advance of the Academy so as to best take advantage of the instructional opportunities offered. 

Interested applicants should submit the following audition requirements:

  • Two letters of recommendation from music professionals, including one from the primary organ or piano instructor that attests to the applicant’s general level of ability and accomplishment
  • List of repertoire: cite the composer, complete title, edition/publisher, and note which pieces are performance ready and those still in progress. Please include any organ technique books you own
  • Recording for diagnostic purposes only (no audition required): applicant should send one audio or video recording (mp3, or YouTube preferred) of two contrasting works. Pianists without organ experience should send recordings of piano performances

Interested applicants should submit the following audition requirements:

  • One letter of recommendation from the primary organ instructor that attests to the applicant's general level of ability and accomplishment
  • List of organ repertoire: cite the composer, complete title, edition/publisher, and note which pieces are performance ready and those still in progress. Please include any organ technique books you own and indicate the repertoire you wish to study and perform at the Academy
  • One audio or video (mp3, or YouTube preferred) recording of two contrasting works, one Baroque and another composed after 1750 in a contrasting style. Memorization is not required for the audition or in any Academy activities

How to apply

1. Eligibility: Accepting pre-college and collegiate level students. 

2. Application process: To apply, please complete the online registration. 

3. Audition requirements: After completing the step above, please send the required materials to Christopher Young at chyoung@indiana.edu. 

Summer Organ Academy will return in 2026

Once you have completed the previous steps, please submit the Participant Agreement Form

Learn more about the Jacobs Organ Academy