Holy Cross Organ Scholar Wins First Prize in National Competition

Holy Cross sophomore Organ Scholar Jeffrey Wood took home First Prize in the prestigious Augustana Arts/Reuter Undergraduate Organ Competition in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, March 13. He received a $5000 cash prize and was given the opportunity to perform with an orchestra on Sunday night.

A music major from Pepperell, Mass., Wood is one of two students studying organ under a full-tuition Organ Scholarship at Holy Cross. He came to Holy Cross after a year at Berklee College of Music in Boston. It was at Berklee that Wood met his mentor James David Christie, Distinguished Artist-in-Residence at Holy Cross and highly acclaimed organist.

“I realized quite quickly that that I was learning more from [Christie] than from all of my classes combined. When he told me about the scholarship at Holy Cross, I decided to look into a transfer,” said Wood.

The respect and admiration is mutual. Christie counts Wood as one of the most talented students he has taught in his 25 years. He describes him as “one of the rising stars in the organ world.

“I can assure you that he will be a future major name in the organ profession,” he said.

Wood has been playing the organ for seven years and the jazz piano for 14 years. An unusual combination of talents, Wood hopes to be able to make a career out of playing both instruments.

Wood frequently performs in Worcester and Boston. He regularly plays the 11:30 a.m. Mass with the Holy Cross Schola Cantorum in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel at Holy Cross.