Northwestern University Organ Program to Close

The Northwestern University School of Music (Evanston, Illinois) has announced the closure of degree programs in organ, according to a January 30 statement from Toni-Marie Montgomery, dean of the School of Music. The decision was based on low demand, “assessment of the organ program’s achieving recognized excellence, and the need to allocate the school’s resources wisely.” The dean’s statement referred to declining enrollment over the past decade, “mirroring a national trend.” The current 11 organ majors will be able to finish their degrees, and the school will continue to offer organ instruction on a non-degree basis.