Summer Institute for French Organ Studies

The Summer Institute for French Organ Studies was created in 1985 by Gene Bedient, Organbuilder, and Jesse Eschbach, Professor of Organ at the University of North Texas, Denton. The mission of SIFOS is to give a select number of participants an accurate perspective on the French organ and French culture of the 17-19 centuries. The organ culture in America tends to filter its perspective on the organ through Germanic, 19th century American or American Classic perspectives. Although there is a great deal of interest in French organ literature of the Classic period and the Romantic period, the realization of this literature in our American culture often leaves much to be desired. SIFOS has been very successful at giving the participants an in-depth and realistic perspective on the French organ, its literature and the French culture. Having this experience on instruments for which the music was composed is an essential part of SIFOS and is not available in the same way anywhere else.

 

See the other pages on this site for more information about SIFOS, apply to attend and read testimonials from past participants.