School of Music

Linda Andrews

Linda Andrews, M.M.
Instructor, Organ
Browne 226
Email: LA-Andrews2@wiu.edu

Linda Bliven Andrews received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Western Illinois University where she studied with Dr. Anita Werling, organ, and Roger Collins, horn. She was awarded the Master of Music degree with church music emphasis from Northwestern University where she was a student of the internationally known Bach scholar, Wolfgang Rübsam. Currently, she is the organist for First Presbyterian Church in Macomb, a position she has held since 1995.

In March 2015 she performed a recital at the church which celebrated the 60th anniversary of the installation of the church's Möller pipe organ. 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 fall semester 2012. Prior to that time, she taught music courses as well as applied lessons in organ and piano for Carl Sandburg College. Additionally, she has taught privately for over 35 years.

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 which houses a 102 rank Casavant tracker organ. She was a master class participant, performing on The Auditorium Organ, a 113 rank historic Aeolian-Skinner Organ also in Independence. Andrews has been a featured organ soloist with the McDonough Choral Society and the WIU choral organization, the University Singers, recently accompanying Requiem by Maurice Duruflé.

In 1997, Andrews was a participant of the French Organ Music Seminar where she toured and played historic instruments in Paris and southern France. An active member of the American Guild of Organists, Andrews has held various offices for both the Galesburg and Western Illinois University chapters, currently serving as dean of the WIU chapter. In addition, she has presented solo recitals and educational programs for AGO chapters in Illinois.