The Musical Education and Training of James H. H. Lampert

    I've always had an interest in good music, but it really wasn't until my
late teens that I began to listen to classical music on any regular basis,
and it wasn't until I discovered classical music radio, and *Adventures in
Good Music* with Karl Haas, that I became a true music lover. Still, I went
through my entire University education without taking a single music class,
other than one summer music appreciation class at a local junior college.

    As early as 1986, I began to develop an interest in learning the piano,
with thoughts towards expanding into harpsichord and organ. Unfortunately,
I didn't have the time or the money to do that *and* pursue my interest in
learning to skate at the same time, and so my musical ambitions were ignored
and buried for many years.

    Then, in 1996, my musical interests were awakened by a literary project,
the details of which I will reveal in time, with a much stronger focus on the
organ. So, in the spring semester of 1997, I began first-semester piano at
Orange Coast College, another local junior college.
    Almost from the first week of the class, I began "dabbling" with various
digital sampling organs at a friend's music shop, and soon, I began to think
about taking organ lessons as soon as I'd finished first-semester piano. My
music dealer, even though he employs a number of organ teachers, suggested
that with my strictly classical tastes, I'd be better off finding a church
organist willing (and qualified) to teach me, ideally one who could do so on
an instrument with live pipes. And after several months of chasing down
referrals, I eventually began lessons, late this summer, with Maestro David
York, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, in downtown Long Beach.

    Meanwhile, I haven't abandoned Orange Coast College. I am presently
finishing first-semester music theory, and am now enrolled in piano 2, for
the spring semester of 1998.

    I strongly encourage everyone who has never learned how to play a musical
instrument to at least consider enrolling in music classes, or private
lessons, at either a local junior college, or a music store. You may surprise
yourself.