Wilma Jensen has been heralded as an outstanding recitalist, church musician and teacher. An extensive career as a concert organist has taken WILMA JENSEN throughout the United States to play on such well-known instruments as those at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, The Riverside Church in New York City, and the West Point United States Military Academy. Having played for several Regional Conventions and three National Conventions of the American Guild of Organists, she is in demand as a recitalist, lecturer and clinician for choral workshops, church music workshops and organ master classes. Numerous European tours have taken her to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, West Germany, France, Poland, The Netherlands and England. In addition, she has made a recording for West German Broadcasting, Sender Freis Berlin.

Dr. Jensen earned her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where she was a student of Catharine Crozier and Harold Gleason. During that time she received the highly coveted Performer's Certificate in Organ. The artist received an Honorary Doctorate from Piedmont College in May 2004. Recognized as a successful teacher, Wilma Jensen has been on the faculties of Oklahoma City University, the Blair School of Music of Vanderbilt University, Scarritt Graduate School, and Indiana University, where she was a tenured professor.

With a long, active musical career, Dr. Wilma Jensen has always had a focus in three directions- Church Music, Teaching and Performance. Now Choirmaster/Organist Emerita of St. George's Episcopal Church, she was for 19 years Choirmaster/Organist, building the choir to a musical level which included an invitation to sing for the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and an extended tour in Europe. On that tour, Dr. Jensen conducted St. George's Choir in their singing of the Sunday morning Mass at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. The Mass featured the Vierne Messe Solennelle, which was written for choir and two organs for Notre Dame Cathedral. Before the service, the choir sang an extended group of a cappella repertoire. In June 2005 Wilma Jensen returned again to play her fourth concert at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.

Dr. Jensen has made two professional solo recordings; Mors et Resurrecto (Arkay label) and Sketches and Improvisations (Pro Organo label), which is in the French Tradition. Both recordings were made on the Casavant Organ at St. George's Church. She also made two recordings conducting St George's Choir on the Pro Organo label. Wilma Jensen has recently resumed her concert career, conducting Choral and Organ workshops and Organ Masterclasses at Juilliard, Curtis, etc. and as a Presenter at the 2010 EROI Conference at Eastman School of Music. These trips have included recitals at The Riverside Church, NY City; First Congregational Church, Los Angeles,CA ;,Jacksonville, FL; Oklahoma City, OK; St. Philip's Cathedral, Atlanta; St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Paul, MN,; and Broadway Baptist Church, Ft. Worth , TX. Wilma Jensen was Dean of the Nashville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists for 2006-2007.

Dr. Jensen has just released a 2 DVD set Teaching Video entitled ORGANIZING NOTES IN SPACE - Developing Organ Technique and Musicality. She explains the development of various touches and teaches seven of her former students.

 

Wilma Jensen receiving her Honorary Doctorate from Piedmont College
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. James Mellichamp, Wilma Jensen and President Ray Cleere