The Liesbeth Schlumberger Organ Chair (Odeion School of Music, UFS) & the Southern African Church Organists Society (SAKOV) collaborate to celebrate the king of the instruments
22 - 29 September 2016
The Liesbeth Schlumberger Organ Chair was founded in 2015 by the OSM and is positioned under the auspices of the OSM International Artistic Mentorship Programme (IAMP). The main objective of the IAMP being establishing partnerships with musicians (soloists, chamber musicians and pedagogues) having already established careers as musicians internationally. On par with international tendencies the aim is to deploy these experts as instructors to coach and mentor OSM students complimentary to the local residential OSM performance faculty.
The number of students studying the organ has declined drastically in South African during the last two decades. Therefore, it is imperative for the OSM that the anticipated initiatives and intellectual capital generated by the organ chair will be optimally accessible to all South African students, lecturers, liturgical and amateur organists.
The main event of the Liesbeth Schlumberger Organ Chair’s activity mainly consists of an annual two weeks intensive tuition programme to mentor and tutor South African organ students and organists under the tutelage of Liesbeth Schlumberger. Apart from the annual main event hosted by the OSM, the long-term aim is that talented OSM organ students will have the opportunity to study a semester or more under the auspices of Liesbeth Schlumberger in France.
The Southern African Church Organists’ Society (SAKOV) was founded by Prof Albert Troskie in 1980 with the main aim to promote church music and to function as a professional body serving the interests of church organists. SAKOV has grown into one of the most respected and professional national institutions representing a specific instrument. SAKOV forms a link between organists and other interested parties and provides subject-related information and guidance. The organisation also serves in an advisory capacity and lays down guidelines and recommendations with regard to salaries and service contracts of organists. A range of substantial study bursaries are also annually awarded by SAKOV, with the main aim to advance and maintain the quality of organ playing and to stimulate research with reference to church music.
In 2016 the annual SAKOV meeting will collaborate with the OSM to present a collaborative initiative with the activities of the Liesbeth Schlumberger Organ Chair.