Organ Masterclasses
Wilma Jensen coaching organ student Mary Catherine Race
Wilma Jensen coaching organ students from St. Olaf College, 2015
Musical Freedom in Different Periods of History
Good and bad notes, then and now
Accent
Organizing notes in space for musical communication
Quotations from performers, composers, and historians
Presentation of supporting musical passages
Organ Masterclass
Coaching of organ performers, technically and musically
Special performance practice session on Baroque, French Classic, Romantic, Franck, Widor and Vierne, or multiple style
Developing Natural Keyboard Technique and Maintaining It for Life
Concepts of Tobias Matthay and other pianists and harpsichordists
Description of natural physical gestures of the hands and body
Demonstration of various touch controls through passages of repertoire
Demonstration of Service Organ Repertoire
Featuring repertoire appropriate for liturgical seasons
Broad variety of styles presented
Easy to moderately difficult choices
Various Styles in Hymn Playing
Importance of meter
Articulation
Registration
Stretch of the melodic line
Breath between phrases
Time between stanzas
Alternative harmonizations and rhythm
Creative introductions and interludes
A teacher beyond compare
“Her unique ability to inspire her students, combined with her innate musicality and clear exposition of technique, makes her a teacher beyond compare.”
– Mary Catherine Race
McGill University Law School
former graduate student, University of Southern California
graduate studies in England
student from age 12 through college at Vanderbilt University
Region IV Young AGO competition winner at age 15
continued coaching with Ms. Jensen for seven years
A superb musician and teacher
“Wilma Jensen is a superb musician and teacher with exceptional mastery in the fields of organ performance and church music. For over a decade I was inspired by lengthy coaching sessions with her in organ repertoire, and found her teaching to be unsurpassed (and indeed, to have greatly influenced my own teaching career.) I have additionally had the opportunity to benefit from observing her organ masterclasses and choral concerts, and from listening to her very fine choral and organ CDs. Anyone in the field who has an opportunity to hear Wilma Jensen—whether playing music, conducting it, or speaking about it--will quickly realize his/her very good fortune in learning from a master musician.”
– Diane Meredith Belcher
Associate Organist and Choirmaster
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
One of the most memorable musicians in America
“Wilma Jensen is, as far as I know, one of the leading organ teachers in America, one of the highest top rank. I remember her interest in teaching which she discussed, years ago, with Jean Langlais (I believe it was 1969) when he gave a recital in Oklahoma City. They had long talks about musicological subjects. On the other hand, I know some of her very talented
pupils; their playing, their style and flair are just great. I hope she will teach more in the next years. She is one of the most memorable musicians in America.”
– Marie-Louise Langlais
internationally known performer and teacher
Paris, France
A visionary teacher
“Wilma continues to be a visionary teacher who has the ability to get to the heart of the musical or technical matter in an astoundingly comprehensible manner. Her musical and technical insights are informed by decades of teaching at all levels, from beginning organists to top prize winners, and
her own distinguished performing career as an internationally celebrated soloist, collaborative musician and conductor.”
– Janette Fishell, D.Mus
Professor of Organ
Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington, Indiana
A joy
“Ms. Jensen’s ability to communicate her points brilliantly made her
teaching both fun and effective! It was a joy to work with such
experience!”
– David Jernigan
Former Student
Doctoral Candidate at Yale School of Musica