The Westfield Center
A Brief History
Board of Trustees
Board of Advisors

• A catalyst for dialogue among players, instruments builders, and scholars
• An advocate on behalf of the organ, harpsichord, fortepiano, and clavichord
• A publisher of keyboard-related materials
• A presenter of workshops, symposia, concerts, and tours
• A national organization with an international reach

A CATALYST  FOR  DIALOGUE  AMONG  PLAYERS, BUILDERS, AND SCHOLARS 

The Westfield Center is the only organization with a mission of promoting dialogue among keyboard performers, scholars, and instrument makers. Programs sponsored by the Center have brought together professionals from around the world - including many leading figures - for conferences, symposia, panel discussions, workshops, and demonstrations, often in collaboration with major cultural institutions.

AN  ADVOCATE  FOR  THE  ORGAN, HARPSICHORD, FORTEPIANO, AND CLAVICHORD
With its educational and outreach programs, the Center acts as an advocate for the classical keyboard and its music. Programs such as Festival Organ, with its interactive exhibition and public talks and concerts, reach many thousands of people across the country, in many cases providing an important first exposure to the rich and varied world of keyboard music.

A  PUBLISHER OF KEYBOARD-RELATED MATERIALS

The Center's publications range from monographs for scholars to a full-color timeline outlining the remarkable 2,600-year heritage of the pipe organ.

A PRESENTER OF WORKSHOPS, SYMPOSIA, CONCERTS, AND TOURS.

Since its founding in 1979, the Center has sponsored over one hundred events, including workshops, research conferences and symposia, tours to historic instruments, solo recitals and early music concerts, educational programs for children, and programs--such as the Festival Organ exhibition--designed to interest the general public in classical keyboard instruments and their repertoire.

A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION WITH INTERNATIONAL REACH

Founded in Massachusetts, but with offices currently in Washington state, the Center has presented many programs in Massachusetts (Westfield, Northampton, Wellesley, and Boston), and in other locations throughout the United States, including Tennessee, Virginia, California, Arizona, Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin, New York, and of course, Washington. Its first international conference will be in 2006, a conference in Victoria, British Columbia (Canada). Its members are in 47 states and 18 countries, and its activities include international study tours as well as publications and symposia on topics of national and international interest.

A BRIEF HISTORY

The Westfield Center was founded in 1979 by Lynn Edwards and Edward Pepe to fill a need for keyboard events promoting performance practice and instrument building in historical styles. Ms. Edwards, an organist and scholar, served as the Center's Director 1987-1999. In July, 1999, Roger Sherman, became Executive Director. Mr. Sherman is is an organist and harpsichordist. In addition to his duties at the Center, he serves as the associate organist of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, and as owner and CEO of Loft Recordings, a company that produces CD recordings as well as the weekly radio program The Organ Loft.
Established as a membership association for organ performers/scholars, the Westfield Center's initial focus was on early Renaissance and Baroque music and instruments. It sponsored workshops and conferences, published monograms for scholars, and presented period-instrument concerts, many of which were rebroadcast by National Public Radio stations, and was cited for its innovative programming and leadership in the field of early music.
Recognizing the close connection among all keyboard instruments, the Center's programs have expanded to include the fortepiano, the harpsichord, and the clavichord in addtion to the organ. Its membership now approaches 1,000 worldwide and its focus embraces all periods of music history.
In pursuing its mission to promote the study and appreciation of the organ and other keyboard instruments, the Westfield Center has become a vital public advocate for keyboard instruments and music. By bringing together professionals and an increasingly diverse music audience, the Center has inspired collaorations among organizations nationally and internationally.

Board of Trustees and Board of Advisors

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