Organ educator, performer, conservator
Dr. Jan Kraybill’s words to live by are, “Say ‘yes,’ and then work really hard.”
A partial list of things she has said “yes” to include serving as principal organist at the Community of Christ Church; as conservator for the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, keeping the instrument in tip-top shape; maintaining intellectual stimulation through Mensa; making lace; riding Harleys with her husband to the Sturgis, S.D., rally – nine times ; teaching church music in Tahiti; and performing the Messiah at Carnegie Hall.
Kraybill, who received her Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2000, is the 2014 Conservatory of Music and Dance Alumni Achievement Award recipient.
Kraybill began her music studies with piano lessons at age three, continuing at Kansas State University, where she earned a piano performance and education degree, and later completing her doctorate in organ performance at the UMKC Conservatory.
She held a number of jobs as her music career evolved, culminating in being offered the position as principal organist at the Community of Christ Church in Independence, Mo..
There, Kraybill plays a pipe organ custom-made for the temple. It is one of the famed Casavant Frères organs, considered to be among the most beautiful and celebrated in the world. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts chose the same type of instrument for their concert hall – and promptly asked Kraybill to act as organ curator.
A self-described cheerleader for live music, Kraybill’s days are consumed with a wide range of duties and opportunities, ranging from researching and planning repertoire for upcoming solo performances to providing advice to local churches on their pipe organs.
Add in rehearsing and playing for the Community of Christ services, finalizing a CD of pieces performed on the Kauffman organ and choosing materials for hymnals classes she teaches in Dallas, and you have a glimpse into her life’s work. It’s a world she loves.
“Music bridges people, times, places and cultures,” Kraybill said.
While completing her DMA degree, Kraybill experienced the way music could reach across time. She analyzed a group of religious chants found in a rare 16th century manuscript, a treasure of the LaBudde Special Collections at the UMKC Miller Nichols Library. She transcribed the music into modern notation, assembled a men’s choir and presented the ancient pieces in concert at Community of Christ Church.
In addition to her organ work, Kraybill designs and conducts international hymn festivals, teaches workshops and is a resource person for church musicians and worship planners.
Although she has received her share of accolades and praise, Kraybill is understandably proud of the certification she received in 2010, the Fellowship (FAGO) Award from the American Guild of Organists. To qualify for this highest category, candidates must perform several pieces from a select list, accompany a vocal score, improvise, sight-read and write extensively.