Piedmont College Navigator

Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: A&E

Media Credit: Sandi Tatum

When the typical student considers how to spend a Friday evening, seldom does attending an organ concert cross his or her mind. However, on April 17, concert-goers were treated to a musical presentation of beautiful sounds and remarkable talent.

Dr. James Mellichamp, vice president of student affairs, presented the audience with an electrifying performance on the Sewell Organ in the Piedmont College Chapel.

While many students recognize Mellichamp's position as college administrator, some may not realize what an experienced musician he is.

Mellichamp began his musical studies at a young age, starting piano lessons at age four and pipe organ instruction at age 14. He has received degrees from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, Hochschule fuer Musik in Herford, Germany and his doctorate in music from Indiana University. He continues to travel around the world, spending weeks of his busy year touring in other countries.

He has performed in Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Austria, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, England, and Canada. His talent has allowed him to play in such prized halls as the Washington Cathedral and the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.

Mellichamp's performance Friday evening demonstrated such expertise at his instrument.

He is, in fact, the designer the magnificent Sewell organ that sits in the chapel, awe-inspiring to all who see and hear it.

Mellichamp also leads other organ-building projects, including plans for a new organ at the University of Georgia.

He is currently serving as President for the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

The recital consisted of music from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Two pieces were by German composers, two by English, and two by French.

The nationalistic influences were vaguely apparent, each region having unique styles and traits.

The program was diverse, holding the listener's attention through the sheer beauty and lush textures and astounding technical ability.

The organist imitated an entire symphony orchestra with only two hands and two feet controlling a huge array of pipes.

The audience's applause earned them an encore, a beautifully flowing piece that was performed by Dr. Mellichamp on his tour of France two years ago.

While riding in the elevator concluding the concert, my mother and I were discussing the performance.

I mentioned to her that Louis Vierne, a composer whose work we had just heard, actually died while on the organ bench at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris during a concert.

"After watching a recital like that, I can certainly understand how that could happen! You really have to use everything you've got to give a performance like that," my mother commented.

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