Claim To Fame:
Danielle Oliver
Staff Writer
Some might say that organ playing is a lost art. The instrument is known for being played during church services and in historic cathedrals — that’s about it. But in the words of Gary Cobb, professor in the Fine Arts department, the organ is truly the “king of instruments.”
“It involves the entire body, from the toes all the way up to the finger tips,” Cobb said.
Organ playing could be more accurately described as the ultimate form of multi-tasking, as an organist may play simultaneously with his or her feet and hands and even conduct a choir with her head.
“The organ need not be thought of as a stuffy instrument for church,” Cobb said. “It’s actually a synthesizer — an extremely full and colorful instrument.”
Relatively few students play the organ. The piano is a more popular choice.
“Piano is a lot easier to play,” Cobb said. “It’s also a lot more accessible.”
There is, however, an organ in Pepperdine’s chapel and one in the music building. Although the piano may be simpler in some ways, the organist is required to have piano-playing skills in order to become an accomplished organist.
And the organ may be more popular than the average Seaver student might think.
“Chemistry professor Jane Gansby is a fine organist,” Cobb said. English professor Michael Collings and philosophy professor David Gibson also play the organ.
“Playing gives you a real sense of history,” Cobb said.
The earliest organ was created in the sixth century B.C. with ties to ancient Greece.
“The organ has seen a lot of development since then,” Cobb added.
Starting with piano lessons at age 6, Cobb didn’t begin playing the organ until he was 23. He said he was completing a doctoral degree when a mentor inspired him to take up the organ.
“One of the attractions was the power to be the whole orchestra,” Cobb said.
A church musician for 20 years, Cobb plays regularly at the Camarillo Methodist Church and gives an occasional organ concert.
“He tells us about his concerts,” sophomore music major LaShawna Ngadiuba said. “He’s excited about them.”
Cobb said one of the greatest highlights of his organ-playing career was giving a recital in Jerusalem.
“It was a recital and scuba diving trip,” Cobb said. “I arranged an organ recital while I was there in an Anglican cathedral.”
Cobb said he enjoys many different types of music, but his performances are mainly comprised of Bach, whom Cobb refers to as “the main man for organists,” and 19th century American music.
During Cobb’s most recent concert, which was held at a 140-year-old historic church in Ventura, Calif., he played a piece by Beethoven called “The Thunderstorm,” and the pedals were played to sound like thunder.
Cobb’s next event will be held March 21. Cobb, Andy Millow and John Lewis will perform a recital in the Pepperdine chapel for brass and organ.
“It will probably be the most forceful thing to be heard in the chapel,” Cobb said. “The combination is extremely bold.”
And most musicians would agree that playing an instrument is a never-ending task. There is always more to learn, Cobb said. But he said he is also convinced that a love for the music overrides the stress and strain of daily practice.
Others said Cobb is an inspiration.
“You can see he is passionate about music,” Ngadiuba said. “He’ll talk about the organ and funerals and weddings he plays at with passion.”
For Cobb, nothing is truer than one of his favorite comments: “Love for music is what drives us all.”
03-17-2005
