During the week-long academy, students study with Longwood Principal Organist Peter Richard Conte and Alan Morrison, Haas Charitable Trust Chair in Organ Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music, providing valuable insight into the world of symphonic organ. Students also attend a master class with visiting organist Isabelle Demers, Associate Professor of Organ at McGill University (Montréal, Québec).
Academy Instructors
Peter Richard Conte
Peter Richard Conte is the Principal Organist at Longwood Gardens, and is the long-time organist at the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ at Macy's in Philadelphia. Since 1991, he has served as Choirmaster and Organist of Saint Clement’s Church, Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, where he teaches organ improvisation. Mr. Conte is highly regarded as a skillful performer and arranger of organ transcriptions. Mr. Conte performs extensively throughout the management of Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, and has appeared as a featured artist at American Guild of Organists’ National and Regional Conventions.
Alan Morrison
Alan Morrison is recognized as one of America's premier concert organists, performing in prestigious venues across the United States and in Canada, as well as in international festivals. He is a champion of 20th- and 21st-century composers, personally introducing their works to audiences in recitals and concerts, and enjoys collaborating with vocalists and other instrumentalists in chamber programs. Morrison is the Head of the Organ Department at the Curtis Institute of Music, Associate Professor of Organ at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and College Organist at Ursinus College. He frequently conducts master classes sponsored by the American Guild of Organists.
Guest Instructor
Isabelle Demers
Dr. Isabelle Demers has appeared in recital throughout Europe, Oman, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. She is in continual high demand by her colleagues as witnessed by performances for numerous regional and national conventions. She has released multiple CD recordings on the Acis and Pro Organo labels. Her latest CD, recorded at Chicago’s Rockefeller Chapel, was released in January 2020, and includes works of Reger, Laurin, Dupré, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, and Macmillan. A native of Québec and a doctoral graduate of the Juilliard School, Dr. Demers is Associate Professor of Organ at McGill University (Montréal, Québec). She was formerly the Joyce Bowden Chair in Organ and Head of the Organ Program at Baylor University (Waco, Texas).