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 Ken Cowan, Professor of Organ and head of the organ program at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music (Houston, TX).
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
Ken Cowan
A native of Thorold, Ontario, Canada, Ken Cowan received the Master’s degree and Artist Diploma from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. Prior to attending Yale, he graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. In 2012 Mr. Cowan joined the keyboard faculty of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University as Associate Professor and head of the organ program. He is one of North America’s finest concert organists, praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique and imaginative programming by audiences and critics alike. Mr. Cowan maintains a rigorous performing schedule which takes him to major concert venues in America, Canada, Europe, and Asia.