On July 22, OCAGO and Christ Cathedral jointly hosted a Pedals, Pipes & Pizza program for 45 young musicians on the Christ Cathedral campus. Participants enjoyed a delicious lunch of pizza and homemade cookies served by volunteers Patricia Lamb and Eveline Eng, and LAAGO member Joseph Simms gave a preview of the highlights of the upcoming Pipe Organ Encounter in Los Angeles next June.
Students were divided into three groups to explore each of the pipe organs on campus. In the Arboretum, home to the Fred Swann organ, students assembled an Orgelkids kit—a fully functioning pipe organ!—led by Orgelkids docent Peter Bates and former Crystal Cathedral organist Tom Leonard. Next, students visited smaller pipe organs on campus, notably the newly-dedicated Schoenstein organ in the St. Callistus Chapel. And in the Cathedral itself, each student had the opportunity to play the five-manual Hazel Wright Organ, assisted by David Ball, Head of Music Ministry.
Many thanks to cathedral hosts David Ball and Lauren McCaul, and all who made this such a successful event: Emma Whitten (Associate Organist), Charlie Raasch, Fran Johnston, and Alan Kelly-Crawley (registration), Patricia Lamb and Eveline Eng (refreshments), Peter Bates and Tom Leonard (Orgelkids), and Alyce Reynaud, Nicholas Galinaitis, and Kwang Nguyen (rotation leaders).
Students were amazed by the power and tonal variety of the organ, and all who attended were thrilled to witness so much enthusiasm in the next generation of young organists!