Course Descriptions
Undergraduate Courses
OR433 Organ Literature I (3)
Historical study of organ literature coordinated with a study of the development of the organ as a musical instrument.
OR434 Organ Literature II (3)
Continuation of OR433.
OR587 Organ Improvisation I (2)
A laboratory in the keyboard disciplines of modulation, transposition, improvisation, and vocal score reading. Required for undergraduate Organ Performance majors; others may elect the course by permission of the instructor.
OR588 Organ Pedagogy (2)
Pedagogical approaches to organ playing. Required for undergraduate Organ Performance majors; others may elect the course by permission of the instructor.
OR589 Organ Improvisation II (2)
Continuation of OR587.
OR590 Accompanying at the Organ (2)
Development of accompanying techniques essential to the professional organist. Arranging and transcription from piano reductions and orchestral scores; standard choral/organ literature; leading congregational song; appropriate methods of instrumental registration.
Graduate Courses
OR623 Organ Music of J. S. Bach (3)
A study by genre of Bach’s organ compositions will include background, overview of the influences of Buxtehude, Pachelbel and Böhm, and performance practice issues. The question of the “Bach organ” will be explored. Pre- or corequisites: MH631, OR433.
OR626 Romantic and 20th Century Organ Literature (3)
Study, research of the style, form and interpretation of the works of Franck, Mendelssohn, Liszt, Brahms, Boély, Reger, Widor, and Vierne. Coordinated study of the organs of Cavaillé-Coll and others of the period. Study, research of the style, form, and interpretation of the works of Messiaen, Alain, and Hindemith, as well as selected works of Albright, Dupré, Duruflé, Ives, Pepping, Persichetti, and Tournemire. Coordinated study of the modern organ and Orgelbewegung. Pre- or corequisites: MH631, OR433.
OR629 Seminar in Organ Literature (2)
An intensive study of an area of organ literature or its performance practice. Specific content will change with each semester. Emphasis upon in-depth study of the works of a selected composer or genre.
OR723 Organ Literature Before 1800 (3)
Historical study of the organ literature coordinated with a study of the development of the organ as a musical instrument.
OR724 Organ Literature Since 1800 (3)
Study and research into the style, form, and interpretation of representative organ works composed after 1800. Study and research into national styles of organ composition and construction in France, Germany, England and North America.
Undergraduate/Graduate
Organ Primary (2)
Includes private organ lessons and organ performance/studio classes. Each student enrolled in organ primary has a 1-hour private lesson each week, along with either Organ Performance Class or a Studio Class, which rotate on a bi-weekly basis. Organ Performance majors are required to perform in performance class 3 times per semester; Organ Principal students (Sacred Music majors) are required to perform twice a semester. Studio classes can take the format of a masterclass, lecture, or performance class within each individual studio.
Organ as an Elective
Undergraduate and graduate students who qualify by audition may study organ as an elective if it is not otherwise a specific requirement. An extra tuition fee is assessed for such study. Elective lessons are provided on a space-available basis to qualified Princeton and Lawrenceville students.
Harpsichord Elective
Under the auspices of the Organ Department, private harpsichord instruction is available for elective credit at an extra tuition fee. The college owns two harpsichords: a one-manual Dupree and a two-manual Dowd. For more information, please see the Harpsichord Page.
