Music that fills the room.

Organist, teacher, and church musician in New York City. I perform, accompany, and teach the pipe organ — from Bach and Buxtehude to hymn improvisation and the modern repertoire.

Study with me Get in touch

Trent Whisenant, organist and organ teacher in New York City

About

I am a classically trained organist with a master's degree in organ from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree in music from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. I now serve at Trinity Lutheran Church in Staten Island, New York, directing the church's growing music ensembles and overseeing its instrument projects.

The organ has a way of captivating every audience, regardless of age, background, or musical knowledge. For the player, it can feel like entering another world, and I never tire of exploring new organ styles, builders, repertoire, and interesting spaces.

Trent Whisenant playing the organ at Trinity Lutheran Church — At the console, Trinity Lutheran Church

The gallery organ and choir at Trinity Lutheran Church, Staten Island — Trinity Lutheran Church, Staten Island — the gallery organ and choir

Upcoming

Recitals, services, and concerts open to the public.

1 NovSunday

Lament to Light

An All Saints Day concert for chamber orchestra and choir: Haydn's Requiem paired with Joel Thompson's Seven Last Words of the Unarmed, closing with Randall Thompson's Alleluia.

5:00–6:30 pm · Trinity Lutheran Church, Staten Island · Free admission, premium seating $20

Details & registration

19 DecSaturday

Wonder & Light

A concert of Christmas glory, conducted from the podium: selections from Handel's Messiah through the Hallelujah chorus, then extravagant arrangements of carols and favorites. Reception with cocoa and cookies afterwards.

4:00–6:00 pm · Trinity Lutheran Church, Staten Island · Free admission, doors 3:15 pm · All ages, free parking

Details & registration

Lessons

On a real pipe organ, built around what you want to be able to play — not a fixed curriculum.

Pianists moving to the organThe most common place to start. We build pedal technique from zero, retrain articulation for the instrument, and get you comfortable with registration and the console.
Church musiciansHymn playing that actually leads a congregation, service music, accompanying choirs, modulation, and filling time gracefully. Practical, Sunday-focused work.
Students & audition prepRepertoire, technique, and performance preparation for students applying to university organ programs, competitions, or AGO certification.
Returning & adult studentsNo auditions, no pressure. If you played years ago, or have simply always wanted to try the instrument, there's a way in at any age.

Where: Trinity Lutheran Church, 309 St. Pauls Ave., Staten Island, NY 10304, on the church's pipe organ.
Rates: $40–50 for 30 minutes, or $70–90 for an hour, based on the student's experience and scheduling.
First lesson: Free — 20–30 minutes at the console. Try the instrument, ask questions, decide whether to continue. No obligation.
Instrument: You don't need your own organ. Access to a practice instrument matters far more than owning one, and we'll sort that out together.

Contact

Lessons, recitals, weddings, funerals, supply playing — write and I'll get back to you.

Based in: New York, NY — lessons on Staten Island
Response time: I read everything and typically reply within one day. If you're on a deadline for a wedding or funeral, say so and I'll move faster.