The 21st French Organ Seminar (FOMS) took place in Paris from July 1 – July 8. The participants were divided into two large groups: one in which all were returning members (Reunioners), and one with only new participants (Students). The Reunioners expressed an interest in having more playing time, while the students had the usual mix of master classes and playing time. This year the seminar was made up of U. S. and Singapore organists. The Singaporians, students of past seminar attendee Evlyn Lim, were a delightful addition. Most were organists in churches in Singapore in addition to having regular jobs in the business world. All of them were exceptionally good organists, well-trained by Dr. Lim, who has a doctorate from the University of Michigan. The seminar was mainly organized by Yannick Merlin, who secured many venues and recruited the faculty. Yannick, organist of Notre-Dame-des- Champs, and his wife, Beatrice Piertot, organist of St. Laurent, have been good friends and leaders of many of the past French Organ Music Seminars. It is always a pleasure to have this brilliant duo helping with the organization. Also helping with the organization was the organist of St. Severin, Francois Espinasse, another brilliant organist who has also organized many venues for the FOMS in the past and who remains a good friend and teacher for the participants. The Reunioners did indeed get their wish to have more individual playing time. Each day they were divided into small groups of 4 and 5 and therefore had increased time to play each organ. The organs available to them were St. Germain des Pres, St. Sulpice, La Trinité, Notre Dame de Lorette, St. Eustache, Our Lady of the Rosary, St. Etienne du Mont, Notre Dame des Champs, St. Gervais, Temple l’Etoile, St. Severin, and the Oratoire du Louvre. The students were given more instruction and master classes on many of the same organs, including also the organs at St. Francois Xavier, La Madeleine, and the Duruflé apartment. A highlight of the seminar was a concert given by Reunioners at St. Severin on Monday, July 3, organized by Francois Espinasse. The excellent performers, who played for a full audience, were Camilla Pugh, Gregory White, Dwight Peirce, Lynnette McGee, Timothy Huth, Lois Holdridge, David Enos, and Matthew Samelak. Another highlight was the Reunioners’ dinner with Marie-Louise Langlais. For many years Marie-Louise was the director of FOMS, and there were many happy memories discussed at the dinner. Everyone took part in a full-day session at the organ of St-Maurice Catholic church in Beçon, a suburb of Paris, hosted by Christophe Mantoux, Professor of Organ at the Regional Conservatory of Paris. This organ was built in 1865 by Cavaill é-Coll for the Chapel of the Marquis de Lambertye in Gerbéviller. In the 1900’s it was moved to its present location and given an endowment by the family so it could remain in its original condition. Therefore, all the original mechanics and the wind supply have been rebuilt and today we can see and hear a precise representation of a smaller version of the St. Sulpice organ and other untouched Cavaillé-Coll instruments with Barker machines beautifully restored, with easy access to the inner workings of the organ. M. Mantoux was extremely generous with his time, staying from morning until after 6 p.m. so that everyone could play as long as they wanted, and after that staying even longer to teach private lessons. He also complimented the group on having more outstanding organists than any group he had hosted before. Other members of the French faculty were Sophie Choplin, Daniel Roth, Jean Francois Hatton, Vincent Warnier, Marie Lebrun, Aude Huertematte, David Casson, Francois Olivier, and Olivier Perin. This FOMS could never have been so successful without the co- directorship of U.S. organists Masako Gaskin, Cliff Varnon, and Phillip Staggs. With so many groups going to different organs at different times, their help was indispensable.

The French Organ Music Seminar Reunion, July 1- July 8 (7 days, designed for more playing time and fewer classes for former FOMS participants only) Prices: (for Seminar only for 7 days – does not include hotel) After Feb 15 prices increase by $100 Participants $850 (Seminar only, full organ playing privileges) Auditors $650 (Seminar only, organ loft access, no playing privileges) Friends $400 (non-musicians, no organ loft access) Payment Schedule: The deadline for all payments is June 15.

The 21st French Organ Seminar (FOMS) took place in Paris from July 1 – July 8. The participants were divided into two large groups: one in which all were returning members (Reunioners), and one with only new participants (Students). The Reunioners expressed an interest in having more playing time, while the students had the usual mix of master classes and playing time. This year the seminar was made up of U. S. and Singapore organists. The Singaporians, students of past seminar attendee Evlyn Lim, were a delightful addition. Most were organists in churches in Singapore in addition to having regular jobs in the business world. All of them were exceptionally good organists, well-trained by Dr. Lim, who has a doctorate from the University of Michigan. The seminar was mainly organized by Yannick Merlin, who secured many venues and recruited the faculty. Yannick, organist of Notre-Dame-des-Champs, and his wife, Beatrice Piertot, organist of St. Laurent, have been good friends and leaders of many of the past French Organ Music Seminars. It is always a pleasure to have this brilliant duo helping with the organization. Also helping with the organization was the organist of St. Severin, Francois Espinasse, another brilliant organist who has also organized many venues for the FOMS in the past and who remains a good friend and teacher for the participants. The Reunioners did indeed get their wish to have more individual playing time. Each day they were divided into small groups of 4 and 5 and therefore had increased time to play each organ. The organs available to them were St. Germain des Pres, St. Sulpice, La Trinité, Notre Dame de Lorette, St. Eustache, Our Lady of the Rosary, St. Etienne du Mont, Notre Dame des Champs, St. Gervais, Temple l’Etoile, St. Severin, and the Oratoire du Louvre. The students were given more instruction and master classes on many of the same organs, including also the organs at St. Francois Xavier, La Madeleine, and the Duruflé apartment. A highlight of the seminar was a concert given by Reunioners at St. Severin on Monday, July 3, organized by Francois Espinasse. The excellent performers, who played for a full audience, were Camilla Pugh, Gregory White, Dwight Peirce, Lynnette McGee, Timothy Huth, Lois Holdridge, David Enos, and Matthew Samelak. Another highlight was the Reunioners’ dinner with Marie-Louise Langlais. For many years Marie-Louise was the director of FOMS, and there were many happy memories discussed at the dinner. Everyone took part in a full-day session at the organ of St-Maurice Catholic church in Beçon, a suburb of Paris, hosted by Christophe Mantoux, Professor of Organ at the Regional Conservatory of Paris. This organ was built in 1865 by Cavaill é-Coll for the Chapel of the Marquis de Lambertye in Gerbéviller. In the 1900’s it was moved to its present location and given an endowment by the family so it could remain in its original condition. Therefore, all the original mechanics and the wind supply have been rebuilt and today we can see and hear a precise representation of a smaller version of the St. Sulpice organ and other untouched Cavaillé-Coll instruments with Barker machines beautifully restored, with easy access to the inner workings of the organ. M. Mantoux was extremely generous with his time, staying from morning until after 6 p.m. so that everyone could play as long as they wanted, and after that staying even longer to teach private lessons. He also complimented the group on having more outstanding organists than any group he had hosted before. Other members of the French faculty were Sophie Choplin, Daniel Roth, Jean Francois Hatton, Vincent Warnier, Marie Lebrun, Aude Huertematte, David Casson, Francois Olivier, and Olivier Perin. This FOMS could never have been so successful without the co-directorship of U.S. organists Masako Gaskin, Cliff Varnon, and Phillip Staggs. With so many groups going to different organs at different times, their help was indispensable.