¶¶Òõ̽̽

Program Overview

The Community Music: Organ Undergraduate Certificate is offered through the Music Program in the School of the Arts. The course of study provides foundation and practical training in organ playing for religious communities, courses related to singing and working with singers, as well as a course in arts management. The core of the program is organ playing, with emphasis on working within the requirements of established religious communities. 

The number of churches with vacancies requiring organists prepared to accompany community singing from the organ is growing in the State of Vermont, regionally, and nationally. Nationally, music departments and conservatories are experiencing declining enrollments of students taking major studies both in organ playing and church music. There are students who have the technical background to play organ, but who do not wish to major in music. The Certificate is intended to encourage and support students seeking further training with credentials in this area. 

Curriculum

From the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ catalogue:

Outcomes

The Certificate provides undergraduate students with on overview of the requirements for working in a religious community as a musician. Focus is on

1. Technical skills in organ playing, especially preparing service music and accompanying community singing
2. Awareness of the needs of working with diversely prepared musicians (i.e. choir members, other volunteer musicians of all ages and training)
3. Understanding the business structure of non-profit communities, and how to work effectively within their limits
4. Developing an understanding of the relationship of community music and the goals of religious communities
5. Practical and applied studies in playing, that includes a supervised internship at a local religious community as a capstone experience

Costs and Funding

Scholarship opportunities are available; please contact music@uvm.edu for further information.