The FRENCH ORGAN MUSIC SEMINAR, 2009

will take place in Paris beginning on Wednesday, July 1 and ending the morning of July 8 (a total of 7 nights). For $100, you can have an extra day, which will enable you to take further advantage of small group sessions and private lessons. Attendees will either leave from the U. S. on Tuesday, June 30 or from London on June 30, arriving in Paris at the hotel by noon on July 1. In the hotel lobby we will divide into small groups and go with group leaders to our first session, which will take place at 2 PM.

Since 1988 the French Organ Music Seminar has featured study and playing sessions in Paris, where participants hear and play the magnificent instruments and receive instruction in the form of master classes, lectures, and recitals from leading Parisian organists.

During the week each person will be in a small group of 8-10 people and group leaders will be responsible for making sure everyone is taken care of. Playing times at organs will be in small groups to insure plenty of time for everyone at the organs, with assistance from group leaders and from the titular organists.

Playing sessions, study sessions, and master classes will be held at the famous churches of Paris, including St. Severin, St. Sulpice, the Cathedral of Versailles, St. Etienne-du-Mont, and many others. We will also have sessions at the Conservatoire Regionale de Paris and at the Schola Cantorum.

All classes and lessons are held in English. Featured instructors at FOMS this year include Marie-Louise Langlais, Daniel Roth, Bernadette Dufourcet-Hakim, Naji Hakim, Christophe Mantoux, and Aude Huertematte. Private lessons will be offered at special prices for seminar participants.

Our featured event, included in the price, will be a day-long air-conditioned coach trip to Orleans, 40 miles south of Paris, where we will spend the day playing the beautiful restored Cavaille-Coll with the assistance of Christophe Mantoux.

As more information becomes available we will post it on the website. A definite schedule of events will be available in the spring. See Registration information for prices for 7 nights.


Tentative Schedule of Events

French Organ Music Seminar

Wed, July 1: Opening Sessions

2:00 PMOpening Session: Notre-Dame-des-Champs: Naji & Bernadette Hakim
6:00Dinner with the Hakims

Thur, July 2

9:00 AMPractice at St-Roch for Concert, aided by M-L Langlais, Sylvie Mallet, and Francoise Levechin (Titulaire of St-Roch)
Free time for those not in the recital/ extra playing time or private lessons
12:15 PMLunch
1:30 PMConcert by FOMS Members at St-Roch
3:00 PMConservatoire: Master Class by Marie-Louise Langlais
6:30 PMGroup Dinner with Sylvie Mallet & M-L Langlais

Friday, July 3

9:30 AMSt-Gervais with Aude Huertematte
1:00 PMSt-Severin with Francois Espinasse
6:30 PMMaster Class with Susan Landale at Les Invalides

Saturday, July 4

10:00 AMLa Madeleine - playing time
1:00 PMND d'Auteuil & visit to Durufle apartment
6:00 PM10 people to organ loft of Notre Dame at gate/Mass at 6:30*
7:30St-Sulpice with Daniel Roth

Sunday, July 5

MorningChurches of Choice
9:30 AM10 people to organ loft of Notre Dame at gate/Mass at 10:00*
10:15 AMMass at St-Sulpice
11:15 AM10 people to organ loft of Notre Dame at gate/Mass at 11:30* Mass ends at 12:40
11:30 AMOrgan Recital (Audition) at St-Sulpice
12:05 PMMass at St-Sulpice
12:30 PM[10 people to ND organ loft - be at gate/Mass from 12:45-1:45 This is only a short service, and will not be as interesting.]
Afternoon and EveningFree/Private lessons available
12 NoonPlaying time at St. Augustin (until 4 PM) with organ demo by Didier Matry (This is the organ where Cavaillé-Coll & his son experimented with electricity. In 1898 he chose to discard the eletro-pneumatic) until 2PM
4:30 PMNotre Dame Organ Recital
5:15 PM10 people to ND organ loft - be at gate/Vespers at 5:45*
6:30-7:45It is possible to stay in the organ loft of Notre Dame for this Mass.*
7:30 PMSt-Etienne-du-Mont: Master Class with Thierry Escaich

* We will divide into groups so that everyone may have at least one session at the Notre Dame organ loft with Olivier Latry

Monday, July 6

All DayOrleans Cathedral with Christophe Mantoux

Tueday, July 7

MorningVersailles Cathedral with Christophe Mantoux
AfternoonMaster Class with Mantoux at Temple d'Etoile
EveningFree