A Musical Journey: Princeton Middle School Students Learn About the Art of the Pipe Organ

Band and choir students from Princeton Middle School traveled back in time. The vehicle is an early 20th Century organ.

Their exploration of this instrument, also known as the mighty Wurlitzer organ, an instrument many had never played before. In this workshop, students not only appreciated the artistic side of this organ but also learned how it’s design and function connect to science, math, and physics.

GEAR UP Southern West Virginia sponsors this workshop, supported by the Granada and the State.

It’s made possible through a seven-year federal grant aims to prepare students for success in public and private colleges, universities, and community colleges right after high school.

Professor Darrell Bailey, leading the workshop, stressed the importance of this experience for students’ education and career growth.

“Most importantly is to make their dreams and goals come true so that we can enrich the environment in which we live here in Southern West Virginia, and in order to be able to do that, students need to have a plan, and this is part of that pathway,” said Bailey.

A pathway that student Brayden Wilamowski already has in mind, who shared his thoughts on the organ, which differed from his expectations.

“It made it sound a whole lot different than how one instrument could produce multiple sounds at the same time. It didn’t sound much like a piano as I thought it would and. Overall is a good experience, and I would love to own one of these myself matter of fact,” said Wilamowski.

This was an experience Princeton Middle School’s Band Director Jacob Pauley hopes his students will carry into high school and college.

“A deeper understanding that, while yes, they’re all, they’re all playing music. they’re all doing a fantastic job with that but getting just a little bit better understanding of the finer mechanics of what they’re actually doing,” said Pauley.

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