Study With
Joel Bacon
Associate Professor of Music; Organ; Stewart and Sheron Golden Chair in Organ and Liturgical Studies
Overview
Organ students have an opportunity to perform on the world-famous Casavant organ. Since its installation in 1968, the Casavant organ has gained international fame as one of the 25 greatest organs in the world (Anton Heiller, 1968). Built in the North German tradition, the Colorado State University's Casavant is among the most beautifully balanced and well-voiced organs in the world. In addition to practice and lesson time on the Casavant, organ students, through an arrangement with local churches, have access to practice and lesson times on three other exemplary organs in Fort Collins: the Phelps organ at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, the Marcussen & Son organ at First United Methodist Church, and the Allen Digital organ at the American Baptist Church. Harpsichord students practice and take lessons on a two-manual, three-choir instrument built by Dennis Brown (1982) to the specifications of Taskin, the great French harpsichord builder to the Louis' at Versailles.
Liturgical Studies is a course of study that compliments the degree program of an undergraduate or graduate music student interested in the field of church music. It is also designed to provide a continuing education to professional musicians in the community. The program seeks to offer theory and history of liturgical music together with applied music lessons and practical training for church music careers.
Organ Events
Casavant Organ 50th Anniversary Concert: Joel Bacon
Organ News
CSU’s annual Organ Week features nightly concerts and free public lectures and masterclasses
The six annual Organ Week, a summer organ festival presented by the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at Colorado State University, takes place June 4-7 with concerts, lectures, and masterclasses held at the University Center for the Arts, First United Methodist Church, and First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins. The School continues its year-long […]
Into the Lions’ Den
Story by Erin Pihl, SMTD Publicity Intern In the early thirteenth century, New Year’s Eve wasn’t quite the elaborate celebration of fireworks and various renditions of “Auld Lang Syne” we might see today. Instead, the coming of the new year was celebrated by the Feast of Fools and a performance of a liturgical drama. On […]
Phelps Collection
(1923-1999; bulk 1947-1999) Recognized for combining the historic art of organ building with modern mechanical design, Lawrence Phelps designed and supervised the construction of more than 800 organs, including organs at Colorado State University and at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Fort Collins. The Phelps Collection consists of articles, speeches, correspondence, design notes, tools and parts and biographical materials. The Phelps collection is held at the Morgan Library, please visit lib2.colostate.edu/archives
