Two special young visitors attended worship at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Sunday April 27 – the inaugural recipients of the Good Shepherd Organ Scholarship. These two young musicians, it is hoped are organists for the future of the church.
Pipe organ at Good Shepherd, Ringwood
The motivation for providing such a scholarship has grown from the fact that Good Shepherd Ringwood has a very fine pipe organ, originally from a catholic chapel in East Melbourne, rebuilt by a former member of the congregation, and then finally rebuilt and extended some years later. This fine instrument (and others like it) need capable and well trained organists to make the most of them in the leadership of our worship services. Over time it has become increasingly difficult to source organists for services, which is a great concern to Ringwood’s members.
The idea of offering scholarships to young musicians, not necessarily from Good Shepherd congregation, was identified as a worthwhile strategy to promote and develop interest in pipe organ music. This idea sprang in part from the recognition that Good Shepherd itself has benefited greatly from the results of another organ scholarship program, through the services of Gavin Fry (one of our regular organists), a recipient of the Bach Organ scholarship at St John's Lutheran Church, Southgate. This method of sharing resources around the church is a well tried way for congregations to work together and bless one another through the diverse gifts and resources available.
At the 2007 AGM, Good Shepherd congregation endorsed Church Council’s proposal to provide funding for this venture, with help from Good Shepherd Retirement Village.
The Good Shepherd organ scholarship is offered under the following criteria:
- The scholarship be offered to students of Luther College
- Ideally the student would be a practising Lutheran
- A two year scholarship would be offered, commencing in 2008
- A review would be conducted at end of 2008 to ensure value (for all parties)
- The student would play at Ringwood worship services once per term
- Ringwood congregation would fund the cost of scholarship, principally consisting of the tutor’s remuneration
- A sheet music allowance of $100 pa would be paid to the student
Late in 2007, two young male musicians from Luther College were selected and gained the opportunity to learn from Mr Alan Collyer, a teacher at Luther College and the head organist at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Box Hill. The scholarship holders will have about 40 lessons during this year, on the organ at Luther College and also at Ringwood & Box Hill. Learning to play on different organs will enhance their capabilities.
Their first visit to Good Shepherd Lutheran church, on April 27, involved watching Alan Collyer at work leading the congregation’s worship. Vibrant musical leadership from Alan showed they are certainly in good hands. Alan and our scholarship students will return to Good Shepherd on June 22 where they will also take part in playing for worship. We look forward to seeing the development of their playing over the two year scholarship.