CONWAY, Ark. (Aug. 5, 2009) – As a child, Conner McMains savored the Sundays he spent in the alcove of Christ the King Catholic Church, sitting next to the organist and watching him play.
Those musical mornings changed the course of McMains’ life: after years of listening, he decided he wanted to play the organ, too. The Hendrix College sophomore now works as organist and director of music at Grace Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.
This summer, through an internship with Nichols and Simpson, Inc., Organbuilders, McMains received a unique view of the enormous instrument.
“I thought I knew a lot about the inner workings of an organ, but it turned out that I really knew nothing compared to these guys,” he said. “During the course of the internship, I learned what parts they make there in the shop versus what has to be ordered in. And I learned about all the time required for assembly at a church.”
McMains’ project was sponsored and funded by the Hendrix Odyssey program, a curricular program that offers funding and credit for experiential learning projects. McMains received a stipend, which allowed him to accept the otherwise unpaid internship.
“With the economy, a lot of their contracts for building organs have been put on hold,” McMains said. “They said they’d be happy to have me around, but that they couldn’t pay me.”
McMains worked on six different organs during his four-week internship. He worked most intensively on a re-leathering project for the organ at First United Methodist Church in Conway. He replaced each of the pitch-controlling leather pouches inside the organ, which had worn out over time.
“Repair work is kind of monotonous, because you have to do each step over again with each key,” he said. “The guys I worked with were willing to teach and glad to have the help.”
Although McMains is partial to the organ, he also plays piano, guitar, ukulele, violin and mandolin. He is active in the Hendrix orchestra, and has played piano with a chamber ensemble. This fall he’ll start playing for Monday night worship services.
“I do anything I have the time for,” he said.
As a music major and business minor, McMains has high hopes for a career in music. Although he enjoys playing at churches, he hopes someday to work as the conductor of an orchestra.
The Little Rock native is the son of Jim and Teresa McMains.
"Your Hendrix Odyssey: Engaging in Active Learning” is a major component of the Hendrix curriculum. The philosophy is, “You learn more when you do more.” Each student is required to complete three Odyssey experiences selected from six categories: artistic creativity, global awareness, professional and leadership development, service to the world, undergraduate research, and special projects. Smith’s project earned him credit for Undergraduate Research.
Hendrix, founded in 1876, is an undergraduate liberal arts college emphasizing experiential learning in a demanding yet supportive environment. The college is among 371 colleges featured in the 2010 edition of the Princeton Review America’s Best Colleges. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. For more information, visit www.hendrix.edu.
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