Linda Andrews, Organ Instructor at Western Illinois University, received her BA degree in Music Education from WIU where she studied organ with Dr. Anita Werling, and horn with Roger Collins. She was awarded the MM degree with church music emphasis from Northwestern University where she was a student of Wolfgang Rübsam. Currently, she is the organist for First Presbyterian Church in Macomb, a position she has held since 1995. Prior to that time, Andrews served as organist or director of music for various denominations. While serving as Director of Music and Organist at Central Congregational Church in Galesburg, IL. Andrews implemented a nationally recognized organ recital series and produced a recording of the historically significant 1912 Möller pipe organ.
As an educator, Andrews has been at WIU since 2012. Since her appointment, she has also been an instructor for WIU’s Community Music School. Before 2012, she taught music courses as well as organ and piano lessons for Carl Sandburg College. Additionally, she has taught privately for over 40 years.
During the past year, Andrews was festival organist for St. Paul UCC, Pekin, IL where the church’s recently restored Austin Organ, Op. 2672, was featured for the 35th Pipe Organ Anniversary Celebratory Worship Service. Andrews was also recitalist for “Friday Pipes,” an organ recital series at Third Baptist Church in downtown St. Louis. She returns to Third Baptist in May 2018 with two of her graduate students who will perform on the series.
In June 2015, she was a featured service organist for the Association of Disciple Musicians Annual Conference held at William Jewel College in Liberty, MO. Additionally, she participated in a members’ recital for the same conference. Andrews was also a recitalist on a group program featured at the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, MO. She was a master class participant, performing on The Auditorium Organ, an historic Aeolian-Skinner organ also in Independence.
Andrews has been an organ soloist with the McDonough Choral Society and the WIU choral organizations, the University Singers and Concert Choir. She has also performed as soloist and accompanist for WIU sponsored L.I.F.E. community programs. Recently, she collaborated with Austrian pianist, Anna Wagner, by presenting a fund raising program for the local homeless shelters. As part of the program, Wagner, also a professional photographer had taken photos in Vienna, Chicago, and Midwest Illinois depicting the need to help those without homes. Andrews also offers informational programs on the organ to area grade school music classes.
An active member of the AGO, Andrews has held various offices for both the Galesburg and Western Illinois University chapters, currently serving as Dean of the WIU chapter. She has presented varied solo recitals, concerts and recitals with different instruments and voice as well as educational programs for AGO chapters in Illinois.
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