Where can I go to learn how to build a pipe organ?

[Brandon Tuomikoski]

Im only 14 but its good to know. 

 

I am wanting to go to college with learning how to build pipe organs. i dont know if there is specific colleges. Is there? Where?

 If this isnt a good choice, what organ study colleges are good? 

[pipecutter]

Re: Where can I go to learn how to build a pipe organ?



I'll give you the same advice that was given to me when I was in your shoes. College will not prepare you for organ building but can be a useful stepping block if you study the right things. Some combination of engineering and organ study would be the most useful. Organ building can only be learned by working with those who know the trade. Few American builders still use the apprentice-style program. Work with a service or organ building firm when you are on summer breaks from school. The money won't be great, but the experience will be invaluable.

There are some rare exceptions to this rule. I think there is an ongoing project at the University of Oklahoma (?) where they are in the middle of resurrecting a large Moller organ from the Philadelphia convention hall. Student involvement is key to that project.

Hope that helps.