Organ

In recent years the Organ Studies Unit has developed into one of Australia’s leading centres of organ teaching and performance research. Its reputation for teaching excellence and student achievements is acknowledged both nationally and internationally; as a result it currently boasts the largest enrolment of organ students of any tertiary institution in the country.

A growing number of distinguished alumni now working as recitalists, teachers and church musicians in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, England and North America as well as increased interest by overseas students in completing at least part of their studies in Sydney, further testify to the success of its teaching program. Current students have first prizes in the Sydney and Newcastle organ competitions and the Warringah Eisteddfod to their credit.

The Unit aims to provide students with a thorough grounding in performance techniques while simultaneously expanding their awareness of historical context through systematic exposure to repertoire from all the major schools of organ composition from the baroque to the present day. The students' capacity to make sound independent judgements (e.g. in matters of registration practice) is strongly encouraged from the outset. Numerous performance opportunities both within and beyond the walls of the institution provide important ‘hands-on’ learning experiences, thereby ensuring that students complete their studies well equipped to deal with the many and varied demands of life as a professional organist.

With the restoration of the 3-manual and pedal Verbrugghen Hall organ in 2001, the Unit now has at its disposal a first-class teaching instrument in one of Australia’s most beautiful performance spaces; a small 2-manual practice organ is also available for use. Students’ learning experiences are further enriched through visits to other local and interstate instruments as opportunity allows.