Training Tomorrow’s Organists

A look at how Trinity Church is preparing emerging organists for careers in sacred music — and the premiere of an original work from our newest organ scholar. 

Whenever organ scholar Alex Leonardi settles onto the bench of Trinity Church’s new Glatter-Götz/Rosales organ, they feel a quiet surge of awe at the range of expressive possibilities at their fingertips. The console’s expanse of keys and stops offers a vast palette, from bold, piercing trumpets to gentle flutes and strings. Alex has been reaching for those softer sounds lately, spurred by their pursuit of music that inspires contemplation. 

Alex’s latest composition, Sonic Étude: Meditation, emerged from that search, and will premiere on April 21 at the Juilliard-trained organist’s solo concert at Trinity.  

 “The harmonies are meant to spark inquiry — the kind of inner questioning I rely on to grow,” Alex says. “If this piece can do that for someone, if it can move them even a little, that would mean everything to me.” 

This has always been the calling of a church organist: to help people feel more deeply, to draw them toward God and one another. It’s a role Alex has embraced during their two years as Trinity’s organ scholar. A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and now a master’s student at The Juilliard School, Alex says Trinity’s program has allowed them to integrate rigorous conservatory training with the kind of music-making that supports the spiritual and communal life of a church.  

“What sets us apart is the extraordinary range of music-making that happens here,” says Avi Stein, Trinity’s organist and chorusmaster. “Whatever our scholars might encounter in their careers, they’ll find some version of it here at Trinity.” 

Since the 1980s, Trinity’s organ scholar program has nurtured musicians who have gone on to join prestigious graduate programs and build distinguished careers. With celebrated ensembles and a growing congregation, Trinity offers young organists a launching pad unlike any other in the city.   

Those opportunities have only expanded with the recent completion of a decade-long project to replace all three of Trinity’s organs: the magnificent Glatter-Götz/Rosales organ in the nave, the antique-style organ in the Chapel of All Saints, and a relocated and revitalized organ at St. Paul’s Chapel. Each pipe organ has its own personality — different touch, different acoustics, different strengths — and learning to adapt to those differences is an essential skill. In a city where practice time can be scarce, the chance to work regularly on three world-class instruments is invaluable to emerging artists. It allows scholars to prepare for a full spectrum of repertoire, from concert to liturgical music, while developing the flexibility required in the profession.

The organ scholar program is one of the ways we invest in the future of the field.”

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MELISSA ATTEBURY

Despite the importance of such training, organ scholar programs remain surprisingly rare. Trinity’s approach is even more unique because it offers real-world experience without compromising a scholar’s academic commitments.  

“Many of the positions available to students are assistant organist roles, which come with extra responsibilities that can become overwhelming when you’re also in school,” Alex says. “Trinity has crafted this position in a way that lets me balance work and school while still feeling challenged to learn and grow.” 

Currently led by Stein, the program is a one-year appointment that can be extended when the fit is right — as it was in Alex's case. During their time at Trinity, Alex has worked closely with both Stein and Assistant Organist Alcée Chriss III, gaining insight from two artists with distinct styles and approaches. They have also collaborated with the St. Paul’s Chapel Choir, our volunteer parish choir — the kind of ensemble organists might lead in future positions. Beyond weekly services, scholars also have opportunities to perform at special concerts, play for weddings and funerals, and work alongside Trinity Choir, Trinity Baroque Orchestra, and NOVUS, Trinity's new-music ensemble.

“It’s been a wonderfully positive environment,” Alex says. “And because of that, we were all able to bring our best selves to the performance stage and make some really beautiful music.” 

The program’s impact is evident in the careers of its alumni. Bruce Neswick, Trinity’s first organ scholar, went on to serve at the Washington National Cathedral, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. Janet Yieh, who became a scholar in 2011, gained experience accompanying choirs, teaching, and conducting before becoming Trinity’s assistant and later associate organist. She now serves as director of music at the Church of the Heavenly Rest on the Upper East Side. “The opportunity to learn from the professional music-making at Trinity is extraordinary,” Yieh says. “This is a wonderful position at a historic and impactful church in New York City, with a talented and creative music team.” 

For Trinity’s leadership, nurturing young musicians is central to the church’s mission. “The organ scholar program is one of the ways we invest in the future of the field,” says Melissa Attebury, Trinity’s director of music. “We want to equip emerging organists with the skills, confidence, and imagination they’ll need to shape the next generation of sacred music.” 

Alex’s own growth reflects that commitment. Their time at Trinity strengthened their fluency in different musical languages and offered frequent opportunities for improvisation — one of their specialties, both on and off the bench. 

“Things change very quickly at Trinity, and in the professional world too,” Alex says. “You need to be able to react quickly, learn when to yield, take initiative when it’s needed — it’s about learning how to balance all of it. You learn to be light on your toes.” 

Hear organ scholar Alex Leonardi premiere Sonic Étude: Meditation at Trinity Church on Tuesday, April 21, 6pm. Tickets are not required for this event.