Certificate in Organ Service Playing as Parish Ministry
(OTP: Organists Training Program)

This certificate program does not require regular admission to the seminary. It is designed exclusively for those interested in pursuing a role as a church organist. The OTP helps organists in local churches become more effective musicians in ministry. The program offers basic instruction in the skills of organ playing and promotes the ministering opportunities available to those who make music in churches.

If you play the piano and would like to learn more about playing the organ, or if you already play the organ and would like to increase your knowledge and enhance your skills, you are invited to join this program. The program is taught through a series of seminars, which meet on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., usually in September, January, April and June. You can complete the program in eight seminars. Seminar topics include Repertory as Ministry, Ministry of the Word: The Organ Interprets the Text, History of Organ Design and Maintenance, How to Follow a Conductor, Adapting Piano Accompaniments for Organ, Hymnody, and Hymn Playing Options.

In addition to the seminar study topics, there are performance requirements: students must prepare eight hymns and nine repertoire selections. Graduates of this program do not receive academic credit from MTSO, but are invited to receive their certificates during the school’s annual Commencement ceremonies.

For further information and admission requirements, please contact Sally Casto at 740-362-3430 or scasto@mtso.edu.