How I decided to become an organist
The question I am most often asked is “Why did you decide to become an organist?” The answers I have given people have not always been the same. I usually respond with a short answer: …
Michael Gartz
April 2014 Organ Lesson and my first YouTube video
Last Saturday, my organ lesson did not start out very well. It felt disastrous to me! I choose to start with the hymn, “At the Name of Jesus”. I felt nervous performing for Michael. I …
We want smooth mashed potatoes – February 2014 Organ Lesson
“We want smooth mashed potatoes.” – Michael Gartz. I had an organ lesson on February 9, 2014 with Michael. I delayed posting the summary as I wanted a picture of real mashed potatoes. Instead of …
Making it more complicated than it needs to be – December 2013 Lesson
I met with Michael at the end of December for my last lesson of 2013. The lesson went well overall. I demonstrated improvement since my previous lesson which was an accomplishment itself. December was a …
The Joy of December – Part 2 – Handel
Handel in Holy Rosary On December 13th, I attended the Handel in Holy Rosary concert in Adrian, MI. The concert featured the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, the Adrian College Chamber Choir, and organist Michael Gartz. This …
October 2013 Lesson – Learning to play hymns correctly
I had another organ lesson last Saturday at Trinity with Michael Gartz. We started with the 3 hymns I’ve been assigned. I chose to begin with “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” as I …
Confidence and practice technique – April 2013 Lesson
Last Saturday at my lesson two themes emerged: confidence and practice technique. Confidence: I have been learning the hymn “All Creatures of Our God and King” for several months. I choose to start my lesson …
March 2013 Lesson – A lesson in multitasking
A couple of Saturdays ago, I traveled to Toledo for an organ lesson. The theme of the lesson became multitasking as I had trouble learning the new hymns and Bach piece assigned at my previous lesson. …