Department of Organ
The Department of Organ prepares gifted musicians for versatile careers as organists, church musicians, harpsichordists, and carillonists. The faculty—eminent performers and scholars with a broad range of specializations—share a profound commitment to teaching. Career preparation includes development of artistry, technique, scholarly research, and the ability to play music of all periods with integrity, informed by historical performance practices and the department’s rich collection of instruments. Students may further choose from multiple opportunities for specialization and enrichment. Studies in improvisation and a graded curriculum in sacred music expose students to multiple genres reflecting diverse cultures and liturgical traditions. Harpsichord students develop strengths in both solo and continuo playing, engaging in extensive chamber music opportunities such as the Baroque Chamber Orchestra. Carillon students study repertoire from early music to new experimental works and music by underrepresented composers, becoming seasoned performers via regular recitals on the University’s two concert-class carillons. Internationally known for developing talent, the Department of Organ is known for the number of its graduates enjoying careers as recitalists, university professors, and music directors of large churches.
Faculty
The members of the University of Michigan organ, harpsichord, carillon, and sacred music faculty are in demand internationally as performers, pedagogues, scholars, adjudicators, and professional leaders. As committed teachers and mentors, they work one-on-one with students in weekly private lessons and studio classes, which take place across the campus to fully utilize the University’s broad collection of instruments.
Joseph Gascho
Nicole Keller
Tiffany Ng
Caroline Robinson
Affiliated Faculty
Julie Zhu
President Postdoctoral Fellow/ Assistant Professor
Intermedia Composition, Music + AI, and Electroacoustic Music
Degrees
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Musical Arts
Graduate
Master of Music
- MM in Carillon Performance
- MM in Early Keyboard Instruments
- MM in Harpsichord Performance
- MM in Organ Performance
- MM in Sacred Music
Doctor of Musical Arts
Instruments
All SMTD instruments are available for practice and performances.
Organs
The U-M recognizes the pipe organ as the only instrument suitable for practice and performance of the organ repertoire. Students enrolled for organ instruction perform, study and rehearse on the instruments in Hill Auditorium and the Earl V. Moore Building.
- Frieze Memorial Organ (Hill Auditorium)
- Marilyn Mason Organ (Blanche Anderson Moore Hall, Earl V. Moore Building)
- James Walgreen Organ (Studio 2102, Earl V. Moore Building)
- Studio 2110 (Earl V. Moore Building)
- Practice Organs (Earl V. Moore Building)
- Italian Positiv Organ
- Portativ Organ
- Kistorgel
Additional information may be found in Pipe Organs of Ann Arbor by Professor James O. Wilkes.
Carillons
The University of Michigan has two carillons. A carillon is an instrument of at least 23 bronze bells, arranged in chromatic sequence, so tuned as to produce concordant harmony when multiple bells are sounded together. It is played from a keyboard and pedalboard, which allow expression through variation of touch. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni give regular performances on the campus carillons.
Charles Baird Carillon (Burton Memorial Tower)
53 bells cast by John Taylor & Co. in Loughborough, England and installed in 1936
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Carillon
60 bells cast by Royal Eijsbouts in Asten, the Netherlands and installed in 1996
Practice Carillons
Three practice carillon keyboards are available. Two are located in the upper floors of Burton Memorial Tower, and a digital practice carillon is located in the Duderstadt Center. Practice keyboards are not audible outside of the practice room.
For further information, contact Professor Tiffany Ng, university carillonist. Current students interested in carillon lessons: please visit the Carillon Studio page.
Harpsichords
Students of the harpsichord will graduate as experienced soloists and continuo players, having learned principles of historical performance and how to tune and care for their instruments. The university maintains the following harpsichords for students’ use:
- Keith Hill, 1992: German double manual
- William Dowd, 1984: Franco-Flemish double manual after Ruckers
- Peter Fisk: French double manual
- Hubbard/Eckstein: French double manual
- Hill and Tyre, 1980: German single manual
- David Sutherland: Flemish single manual
- William Post Ross, 1965: Italian single manual after De Quoc
- Two Tuckermann kit instruments
For further information, contact Professor Joseph Gascho.
Performance Opportunities
From large ensembles in celebrated concert halls to chamber groups in intimate recital spaces, performance opportunities across all disciplines abound, with nearly 900 student performances each academic year. Whether your focus is on early, classical, or contemporary music, whether your passion is for jazz, electronic, or world music, there is an ensemble—or in many cases, multiple ensembles—to suit your interests, including specific opportunities for percussion, piano, and organ & carillon. For students in theatre & drama, musical theatre, dance, and opera, opportunities abound in both professionally produced and student-run presentations.
Organ Performance
Students perform and study with their peers in studio classes and perform for the public in solo student recitals and studio recitals. In addition, the Organ Department organizes several recitals each term in local churches in the communities surrounding Ann Arbor and Detroit.
Carillon Performance
The University of Michigan has two world-class carillons. Half-hour recitals are given on weekdays throughout the academic year and are open to the public to view. Intermediate and advanced carillon students may perform for the campus regularly on these recitals.
Early Music Ensembles
Students interested in historically oriented performance have opportunities to explore music from across the centuries, performed on authentic period instruments and high-quality replicas.
Ensembles
Organ students have opportunities to perform with the University of Michigan orchestras, bands, and choral ensembles, and can gain extensive experience in continuo playing on organ and harpsichord with the Baroque Chamber Orchestra.
Our Stories
Alumni Notes
Alumni Appointments
Organ Alumni
DR. MARTIN JEAN (DMA ’89, MM ’94, organ) – Professor of Organ and Church Music, Director of the Institute of Sacred Music, Yale University; winner of the Grand Prix de Chartres and AGO NYACOP competitions; concert organist and recording artist with Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists
DR. JEREMY CHESMAN (MM ’00, carillon) University Carillonist and Professor; Interim Department Head, Missouri State University
DR. CHRISTINE CLEWELL (DMA ’96, organ) Assistant Professor of Organ, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
DR. NORAH DUNCAN IV (DMA ’94, organ and church music) Professor and Chair, Department of Music, Wayne State University
DR. GREGORY HAND (DMA ’06, MM ’02, organ) Associate Professor of Organ, University of Iowa
DR. EVELYN LIM (DMA ’97, organ) Professor, Methodist School of Music, Singapore
MEGHAN MELOY NESS (MM ’17, organ) Director of Music, Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, Swarthmore, PA
Carillon Alumni
Featured Alumni (currently appointed)
Carson Landry, University Carillonneur, University of Rochester
Jeremy Chesman, University Carillonist and Professor of Music, Missouri State University
Linda Dzuris, Chair of the Department of Performing Arts, Professor of Music & University Carillonneur, Clemson University
Ennis Fruhauf, owner, Fruhauf Music Publications for organ, choir, and carillon; University Carillonist (1969–74), UC Santa Barbara
Stephen Knight, University Carillonneur, Samford University
Adrienne Lehnert, carillonist, University of Washington
Carrie Poon, Recording Secretary, Guild of Carillonneurs in North America
Tin-Shi Tam, Cownie Professor of Music, University Carillonneur, Chair of the Keyboard Division, Iowa State University
Janet Tebbel, carillonist, Miraculous Medal Shrine and the Shelmerdine Memorial Carillon
Featured Alumni (past appointments)
Beverly Buchanan
Kipp Cortez
John Courter
William De Turk
Albert Gerken
John Gouwens
Carol Jickling Lens
Ray McLellan
Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments
Comprised of over 2,500 pieces of historical and contemporary musical instruments from all over the world, the collection is available to scholars and performers, and its many instruments are heard frequently in public performances and discussed in depth through lectures.
Great Lakes Regional Carillon Gathering
Oct. 4–5, 2024
Show Your Support
Any gift to SMTD helps launch the next generation of artists, scholars, educators, and entrepreneurs who challenge and inspire the world.
You can support the Department of Organ with a contribution to the following funds:
Explore our Campus
Meet the people who make up this dynamic community.
Apply Now
Most applications for Fall 2025 are due by December 1, 2024 - check for exact dates on the appropriate admissions page below.
Program Costs, Financial Aid & Scholarships
Explore the many options available to make Michigan an affordable choice.