Conversations and Legacies: Exploring American Organ Pedagogy Through Oral History
During the last third of the 20th century, American organ teaching experienced some of the most dramatic changes in the history of our profession. This video-enhanced presentation documents the experiences and insights of nearly twenty university-level organ teachers who are approaching or currently in retirement. Their interviews address recent trends in our profession through fascinating oral accounts of their musical formation, career trajectories, teaching methodologies, and professional experiences. In addition, those conversations impart insights and wisdom that the interviewees generously share as they reflect upon their own legacies.
Ann Marie Rigler
Ann Marie Rigler, DMA, is professor of music and college organist at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, where she plays for weekly chapel services and teaches courses in music history, applied organ, class piano, and Christian worship practices. She previously served on the faculties of Simpson College, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Northern Iowa, Wayne State College, and Pennsylvania State University. She holds degrees from Southern Methodist University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Iowa. She has concertized across the United States as solo recitalist and chamber musician, and in the United Kingdom as organ soloist and choral accompanist. At home, she serves as co-organist for Colonial Church (UCC) in Prairie Village, Kansas. She frequently lectures on topics related to organ pedagogy, with recent presentations to meetings of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society. Concert Artist Cooperative represents her.