Poetry Essay: Excerpt from The Great "Feet" Of Dance, by Sophia Roshal

Music has always played a major role in dance, but the instruments used for dance music have rarely included the organ. Organ repertoire is saturated with church and concert music. However, playing the organ is in some essence a dance in itself. The entire body is involved in playing the organ, and unlike most other instruments, the organist’s feet often play a crucial role in the music. Lose balance in the middle of a tricky pirouette sequence, you come crashing to the floor. Lose balance in a tricky pedal solo, your music comes crashing to a halt. But keep your feet light and precise through that pirouette sequence, and you soar across the stage. Keep your feet light and precise in that pedal solo, and the music resonates through space.