area of study: organ

Organ at YSM

The organ program at the Yale School of Music prepares students for careers as soloists, teachers, and church musicians. All students attend the departmental seminar, which is devoted to a comprehensive survey of organ literature from all musical periods, and receive individual lessons from faculty members and renowned visiting artists who come to Yale for one week each year. The Yale Institute of Sacred Music offers an employment-placement service for organ students at Yale. All organ majors are enrolled at the School of Music as well as the Institute of Sacred Music. Interested applicants must apply to both.

Yale organists have the opportunity to practice and perform on Yale’s extensive collection of fine instruments: the H. Frank Bozyan Memorial Organ in Dwight Memorial Chapel (von Beckerath, three manuals, 1971); the organ in Battell Chapel (Walter Holtkamp Sr., three manuals, 1951); Marquand Chapel at the Divinity School (E. M. Skinner, three manuals, 1931); and the Newberry Memorial Organ in Woolsey Hall (E. M. Skinner, four manuals, 1928), one of the most renowned Romantic-era organs in the world. Two-manual practice instruments by Flentrop, Holtkamp, Casavant, and other builders are located in Woolsey Hall and at the Institute of Sacred Music, which also houses five Steinway grand pianos, a C.B. Fisk positive, and a Dowd harpsichord.

faculty spotlight

Martin Jean
Professor of Organ

Martin Jean

Faculty organist Martin Jean is known worldwide, having performed internationally and in nearly all 50 U.S. states.

Degrees + Programs

Master of Music

The two-year master of music (M.M.) degree program is open to students who hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in any major.

Master of Musical Arts

The performance-oriented master of musical arts (M.M.A.) program is designed for students who want to further their education beyond an M.M. degree.

Doctor of Musical Arts

The intensive doctor of musical arts (D.M.A) program is comprised of a two-year residency followed by a three-year period in which candidates launch their professional careers.

Artist Diploma

The highly selective artist diploma (A.D.) program is designed for young artists who demonstrate potential for a major concert career.

Certificate in Performance

The three-year certificate in performance program is designed for performers who do not hold a bachelor’s degree but want to study at the highest level.

B.A./M.M.

The bachelor of arts/master of music (B.A./M.M) program is designed for young instrumentalists also interested in pursuing a liberal arts education.

organ faculty
Jeffrey Brillhart

Jeffrey Brillhart

Lecturer in Organ Improvisation, Institute of Sacred Music
Walden Moore

Walden Moore

Lecturer Adjunct in Organ, Institute of Sacred Music
james o'donnell

James O'Donnell

Professor in the Practice of Organ, Institute of Sacred Music
Perform at Yale
At the Yale School of Music, there are numerous opportunities to perform in the School’s historic concert halls and throughout New Haven.
The world-class faculty enhances our knowledge of liturgical practices crucial to our work.
Chase Loomer, organ, ’20MM