Organ study · Norfolk, Virginia

A repertoire path
with room to grow.

01First stepsMeet the instrument.02Building independenceMake several lines speak.03Developing interpretationShape a convincing performance.04Advanced studyShape an entire musical world.
01 / First steps

Meet the instrument.

Short, satisfying pieces introduce organ touch, releases, registration, pedal geography, and the feeling of coordinating a whole instrument.

From Will’s archiveSuggested repertoire
01
CantabilePaul FeyFrom Will’s archive

Legato line and simple registration

Work & study notes
02
Trumpet PieceJohn AlcockSuggested repertoire

Manuals-only articulation and a bright solo color

Work & study notes
03
AndanteGeorg Philipp TelemannFrom Will’s archive

Steady pulse and tonal control

Work & study notes
04
Miniature, Op. 55Flor PeetersSuggested repertoire

Compact phrasing and clean changes of touch

Work & study notes
05
Vater unser im HimmelreichAuke JongbloedFrom Will’s archive

Chorale melody and hymn phrasing

Work & study notes
06
Ich hab’ mein’ Sach’ Gott heimgestellt, BWV 708Johann Sebastian BachSuggested repertoire

Independent lines without a large technical burden

Work & study notes
07
Prelude in G minor, BWV 558Anonymous; formerly attributed to J. S. BachFrom Will’s archive

Pedal points and sectional form

Work & study notes
08
Basso OstinatoLéon BoëllmannSuggested repertoire

A repeating bass pattern and Romantic sonority

Work & study notes
02 / Building independence

Make several lines speak.

The hands and feet become more independent while phrasing, articulation, ornamentation, and historical registration become part of the interpretation.

From Will’s archiveSuggested repertoire
01
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599Johann Sebastian BachFrom Will’s archive

Three-part independence and articulation

Work & study notes
02
Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund, BWV 621Johann Sebastian BachSuggested repertoire

Careful suspensions and a poised chorale line

Work & study notes
03
Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639Johann Sebastian BachFrom Will’s archive

Ornamented melody and legato control

Work & study notes
04
PlainteLéon BoëllmannSuggested repertoire

Expressive voicing in a compact Romantic form

Work & study notes
05
Récit de cromorneFrançois CouperinFrom Will’s archive

Solo registration and French ornamentation

Work & study notes
06
Ballade en mode phrygienJehan AlainSuggested repertoire

Modal color and twentieth-century phrasing

Work & study notes
07
Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen, Op. 122, No. 8Johannes BrahmsFrom Will’s archive

Voicing and Romantic color

Work & study notes
08
Audi, benigne ConditorMarcel DupréSuggested repertoire

Plainchant treatment and controlled independence

Work & study notes
03 / Developing interpretation

Shape a convincing performance.

Pieces become part of a larger craft: choosing music for an occasion, managing acoustics and registration, accompanying people, and ending exactly when needed.

From Will’s archiveSuggested repertoire
01
Prélude from Prélude, Fugue et Variation, Op. 18César FranckFrom Will’s archive

Romantic line and registration

Work & study notes
02
Le jardin suspenduJehan AlainSuggested repertoire

Layered color and patient rhythmic control

Work & study notes
03
Grave–Adagio from Organ Sonata No. 2Felix MendelssohnFrom Will’s archive

Large-scale phrasing and formal direction

Work & study notes
04
In ParadisumThéodore DuboisSuggested repertoire

Quiet service music and expressive legato

Work & study notes
05
Master Tallis’s TestamentHerbert HowellsFrom Will’s archive

Color, texture, and long musical lines

Work & study notes
06
Toccatina from A Little Suite for OrganMalcolm ArcherSuggested repertoire

Articulation, momentum, and reliable finishing

Work & study notes
07
Toccata in SevenJohn RutterFrom Will’s archive

Uneven meter and rhythmic confidence

Work & study notes
08
Nun danket alle Gott, Op. 65, No. 59Sigfrid Karg-ElertSuggested repertoire

Festive registration and ceremonial sweep

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04 / Advanced study

Shape an entire musical world.

Longer works demand endurance, structural hearing, sophisticated registration, stylistic fluency, and a technique that serves a fully developed interpretation.

From Will’s archiveSuggested repertoire
01
Fantasia in G major, BWV 572Johann Sebastian BachFrom Will’s archive

Architecture and contrasting national styles

Work & study notes
02
Ach bleib bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 649Johann Sebastian BachSuggested repertoire

Trio texture and an independent cantus firmus

Work & study notes
03
Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543Johann Sebastian BachFrom Will’s archive

Virtuosic pedal work and counterpoint

Work & study notes
04
Variations sur un thème de Clément JannequinJehan AlainSuggested repertoire

Variation form, color, and stylistic imagination

Work & study notes
05
Choral No. 3 in A minorCésar FranckFrom Will’s archive

Symphonic form and dramatic pacing

Work & study notes
06
Toccata in B minorEugène GigoutSuggested repertoire

Rapid figuration, stamina, and cumulative pacing

Work & study notes
07
Les Enfants de DieuOlivier MessiaenFrom Will’s archive

Rhythm, color, and theological expression

Work & study notes
08
Placare Christe servulis, Op. 38, No. 16Marcel DupréSuggested repertoire

Virtuosic chant treatment and precise pedal technique

Work & study notes

Beyond solo repertoire

The practical craft
behind the music.

Service playing can begin at any level. Short pieces, confident hymn introductions, and careful listening can be useful from the first months of study. Organ study can follow several paths at once. A student might learn Bach alongside hymn playing, prepare a wedding prelude while building pedal technique, or use improvisation to become a more confident service musician.

01

Hymn playing

Introductions, tempo, breathing, harmonization, registration, and the physical clarity needed to lead a congregation.

02

Service playing

Preludes, offertories, transitions, accompaniments, postludes, and the practical timing that holds a service together.

03

Improvisation

Begin with a melody or harmonic pattern, then develop interludes, hymn treatments, and larger forms in a language that feels natural.

04

From piano to organ

Translate existing keyboard skills into organ touch, releases, pedal technique, registration, and independent musical layers.

05

Auditions and further study

Choose contrasting repertoire, build a program, strengthen performance practice, and prepare recordings or live auditions.

One possible beginning

A first semester,
in outline.

This is an example rather than a fixed syllabus. Repertoire, pace, and emphasis are adjusted to the student and the instrument available for practice.

Weeks 1–3

Orientation

Touch, releases, posture, pedal geography, basic registration, and a short first piece.

Weeks 4–6

Coordination

Independent lines, a chorale or hymn tune, and a second piece in a contrasting style.

Weeks 7–9

Application

Hymn leadership, introductions and endings, service timing, or a first structured improvisation.

Weeks 10–12

Ownership

Polish two contrasting works, plan registrations, and prepare an informal performance or recording.

Start where you are

Find your
next piece.

Whether you are new to the organ, returning after time away, or preparing for professional work, we can build a repertoire plan around the musician you are becoming.

Ask about organ lessons