Description:

When in the fall of 2004, I found myself in the enviable position of teaching three specially talented organists in their mid-teens, I decided that one way to recognize their abilities was to write pieces in their honor. The goals I set were that (1) each piece must reflect the personality of the student for whom it was written, (2) each piece must be within the technical grasp of the student for whom it was written, and (3) each piece, although written for a young artist, must be of sufficient appeal that it could be used by any organist. Just as it is a joy to teach such outstanding young people, it has been a joy to match compositions to each of their unique personalities. The titles given include the first name of each student. Although alternate titles are included for performers who may prefer more generic names, it is my hope that the original titles be used in special recognition of the remarkable achievements of these young artists. Stephen Best Utica, New York January 3, 2005