Adapting Non-Organ Scores for the Organ
Wauwatosa Avenue Methodist Church
Presenter: Crawford Wiley

As organists, we often find it necessary to play piano orchestral reductions and piano choral accompaniments on the organ. In this workshop, we'll look at the differences between these two sorts of piano scores, and how best to idiomatically adapt them for the organ. There's no one 'right' way, but some approaches can be particularly rewarding and alleviate the frustration often experienced when attempting to play music that fits idiomatically on the piano but sounds awkward and unsatisfying on the organ. We'll find out how to utilize our instrument's strengths and work around its weaknesses, making some beautiful music along the way!

Crawford Wiley is the Director of Liturgy & Music at St Jude the Apostle Parish in Wauwatosa, WI, where he directs the parish choir and choristers and presides over the 2009 Schantz organ. A native of Naples, FL, he completed his Master's of Sacred Music in Organ Performance at the University of Notre Dame under the instruction of Prof. Craig Cramer.

A frequent recitalist in the Milwaukee area, Crawford is also a tenor in the Milwaukee Chamber Choir, a member of the early music ensemble Aperi Animam, and, in his spare time, an ardent bibliomane, devout member of the Chicago Art Institute and a lover of the Yosemite.