— Organists and Organ Playing —

Where did the time go?

May 16, 2020

Last night I got notice that my former organ student, Christopher Lindsay, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California (my alma mater)!

My former organ student, Christopher Lindsay

Here’s the message from his mom, Holly:

Thank you for your incredible support, wise advice, and faith that enabled Christopher to graduate today from USC. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Astronomy, a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a minor in Jazz Studies. The virtual ceremonies yesterday and today were impressive and very touching. The ceremonies made me reflect how grateful we are to all of you for making these achievements possible for Christopher.

Christopher is winding up his RA job in CA and will hopefully be able to start fall semester at Yale where he will work on a PhD in Astronomy with concentrations in Exoplanet Discovery and Helioseismology with Dr. Sarbani Basu and Dr. Deborah Fischer, two of the world’s foremost astrophysicists. Please continue to pray that all schools and universities will open soon!

You may remember I wrote about Christopher four years ago, as “The Remarkable ‘Ungraduate'” as he left Iolani School after his junior year and went straight into college at USC. It was at that time I posted this picture of his early years on the organ:

Christopher has come a LONG way since these days!
Christopher has come a LONG way since these days!
Christopher with Juilliard organist, Paul Jacobs
And remember when Juilliard organist, Paul Jacobs, came to Hawaii in 2006?

Christopher started organ with me as a first instrument when he was in first grade, and ultimately I taught three members of his family: his mom, Holly, and his sister, Melody. He was a recipient of our American Guild of Organists scholarship program and played the organ all the way through high school until he went off to college.

Christopher played many years for the Children's Benefit Concerts at LCH.
Christopher played many years for the Children’s Benefit Concerts at LCH.

Here’s more news about Christopher:

Attached are a photo of Christopher’s dog, Coconut, modeling the graduation sash Christopher would have worn today at graduation in a normal world.  Instead, Christopher spent today with his girlfriend, Jessica, in San Diego.  Jessica graduated from USC last year and lent Christopher her lei and awards so he could have a grad picture taken today! 

We are truly grateful for the many awards Christopher received yesterday and today. He will now have his name engraved with the USC alums who are inducted into the Order of the Laurel and the Palm.  Many thanks to all who insisted that Christopher try for the Trustee Fellowship and the many scholarships and awards that enabled him totally debt-free.  Our cup runneth over.

Congratulations, Christopher! We are so proud of you!