Westminster College Students Study Organ in Germany

Shelley Culver and Jaimee Davis, two Westminster College sophomore music majors, spent 10 days in Germany taking advantage of the Westminster College International Historic Organ Program.

"My first impression of Europe was the big glass-like airport and the windmills were
everywhere," Davis said. "After landing in Amsterdam, we rented a car and drove to Cappel. On the way we stopped in Gronigen to visit our first church, where we saw the Martinikerk that has real gold pipes. It was impressive."

"We stayed in an apartment above the fellowship hall of the church, which was very cozy," Culver said. "We each had our own room, and in the evenings we used the kitchen, which had a sofa, to hang out."

"The Schnitger organ in the sanctuary was breathtaking," Davis said. "The keyboards had short octaves. I learned that this organ is the only one in Germany that has its original pipes. Because Cappel is so secluded the Germans didn't know about it, and the pipes were not used to make weapons and ammunition."

"If I never go back to Germany again, I will always remember that organ&especially the sound," Culver said. "The organs are so different from what we have at Westminster. The flat pedals were the trickiest for me because the space between the pedal keys is so different than our organs here."

The Westminster Historic Organ Program in Cappel, Germany offers students an opportunity to study and play several historic organs.

"There's a growing trend toward the historical style of playing, and playing original pipe organs made by Arp Schnitger, one of the most influential organ builders in the world, gives our students a unique opportunity to learn this," said Dr. Elizabeth Harrison, assistant professor of music, Westminster College organist, and founder of this program.

"Our days were filled with practicing and taking day trips to various Arp Schnitger organs in the area," Davis said. "We spent a day at Dedesdorf, where we had a big old key, just like you see in the movies, to get into the church. We also discovered two things - the church was freezing and it had no bathroom."

"There are two amazing, very large organs in Slade," Culver said. "One was built by Schnitger, and one by a pupil of his. There are no words to explain how great these organs are, or how much I enjoyed playing them."

"Slade was one of my favorite trips, too," Davis said. "The weather was perfect and the roads were little cobblestone or brick in areas. Dr. Harrison also explained to us that churches are state-funded in Germany, which explains their grandeur."

"It was a great opportunity to learn, because we spent more of the days practicing," Culver said. "Someone would get up at 7 a.m., and go practice and someone else at 9 a.m. In Cappel, we could go practice at midnight if we wanted. I think I learned more music in those two weeks, than in a whole semester of lessons. Most everyday was a lesson from Dr. Harrison."

"Dr. Harrison performed a concert one Saturday," Davis said. "Shelley and I pulled stops and turned pages for her. This is one of the things that made it so real and worthwhile&to see our own professor work on music, practice and then perform with us. It was one of the best experiences we could have."

"The trip was worth every penny or should I say euro?" Davis said. "You grow so much as a musician and a person because you are in an environment where you have nothing to worry about except your music. You leave with a sense of renewal."

"It was a great experience," Culver said. "I really hope I can go at least once more with Dr. Harrison. Any organist should jump at the chance."

Culver is a daughter of Rickey and Susan Culver in Frewsburg, N.Y., and a graduate of Frewsburg Central School.

Davis is a daughter of James and Patricia Davis in Warren, Ohio, and a graduate of Howland High School.

For more information about Westminster's International Historic Program, contact Dr. Harrison at (724) 946-7024 or e-mail harrisea@westminster.edu