Music professor leads seminar for church musicians

Dr. Ina Grapenthin of Kutztown University, Kutztown, Pa. leads church musicians in a seminar held May 17 at St. Simon Stock Parish, Berlin.

On May 17 musicians, both pianists and organists, from all over the Camden Diocese and beyond, gathered to spend time with a world class organist and teacher, Dr. Ina Grapenthin.
Grapenthin is a professor of music at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pa. She teaches organ performance and music education there and has led clinics for organists and musicians of all levels internationally.
Her goal at the workshop held at St. Simon Stock of Berlin was to enhance the understanding of the organ in worship for pianists who want to become proficient on the instrument. This will help them become more proficient leaders of musical prayer in their respective parishes.
More than two dozen church musicians attended.
Brenda Janice, from St. Michael in Atlantic City, commented, “This seminar was incredibly helpful and informative. Ina Grapenthin was amazing as a teacher and player. I cannot wait to put into practice what I have learned.”
Stephen Obarski, director of Worship for the Diocese of Camden, added, “The presentation was wonderfully interactive. It involved every participant regardless of their level of proficiency on the organ. Dr. Grapenthin covered the basics nicely, and even made some of the more complex concepts accessible. She helped everyone gathered a great deal, and, since there is still a great deal to learn, we hope to have her return next year.
“We are grateful to St. Simon Stock for providing us space for the day and to Cunningham Piano Company for providing such a tremendous instrument in the Rodgers Infinity organ and for helping to defray the cost of bringing Dr. Grapenthin to our diocese for the day.”