Marilyn Mason, 1925-2019

Marilyn Mason, who had been an internationally acclaimed concert organist, longtime Professor of Music, University Organist, and Chair of the Organ Department at the University of Michigan has died in Fort Lauderdale, FL at the age of 93 years. She was the longest-serving faculty member at the University of Michigan, retiring after 67 years on the faculty.

Her extensive career as a performer, lecturer, adjudicator, and teacher took her throughout the world, at one point performing more than thirty recitals per year. She was the first American woman organist to perform in London’s Westminster Abbey, the first American woman organist to perform in Latin America, and the first American organist to perform in the newly completed Sayyid Darwish Concert Hall in Cairo, Egypt. During one sabbatical leave from her duties at the University of Michigan, Mason’s performing career took her to venues on five continents. She was an adjudicator in nearly every major organ competition in the world. Mason also led a life of service as a church musician, serving various denominations including 27 years as organist at First Congregational Church in Ann Arbor.

Mason’s charismatic personality, coupled with her depth of experience and wealth of knowledge, made her one of the most sought after pedagogues of her time. In her role as Professor of Organ and University Organist at the University of Michigan, she performed at honors convocations, university presidential inaugurations, and at memorials for heads of state. Her work at the University has been celebrated on many occasions. Most notably, her colleagues at the University presented her with the Distinguished Faculty Award and music alumni awarded her the Citation of Merit. Another highlight of her career came in 1985 when the University of Michigan commissioned a new organ from the Boston organ builder C.B. Fisk Inc. The School of Music, Theatre & Dance named this organ the Marilyn Mason Organ, honoring Dr. Mason for her many contributions to the Organ Department and the University of Michigan. She was also honored in 1988 as the “Performer of the Year” by the New York Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. With a career marked by many awards and honors, perhaps the greatest testimony to her work is seen in the careers of her numerous students, many of whom hold prestigious positions in academic settings, as well as high-profile church positions throughout the world.

While at University of Michigan, Dr. Mason was responsible for starting two signature events, both of which would become hallmarks of organ study. Beginning in 1960 the University of Michigan has been home to the annual Organ Conference. This conference, which showcases the pipe organ, its music, and performers from around the world, has served as an invaluable means and meeting place for the exchanging of ideas and scholarship throughout the organ world. The second signature event was her series of Music Tours of Historic Organs. Soon after the inauguration of the Organ Conference, Dr. Mason conceived the idea of taking her students, and other organ aficionados, on tours to some of the historically significant pipe organs in the world. Using her knowledge of European instruments and her vast network of colleagues throughout the world, Dr. Mason was able to plan, promote and lead over fifty Historic Organ Tours to the great organ lofts of the world.

visit https://marilynmason.life/ for more information about the life of Marilyn Mason. Biography and pictures are used with permission.