Bruce Xu, 19, at the organ inside of the Rice Memorial Chapel on the Rice University campus on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 in Houston.Every Sunday, Bruce Xu hits the road and drives north. Then, the 19-year-old business major at Rice University takes his place at the organ at The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church.
And he knew exactly where to go, Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. “Rice has a leading organ program,” Aigner said.“Bruce came out and played, and it was fantastic,” Aigner said. “I was expecting a really good freshman organist.”What he found instead was a musician who played “way beyond his years.”And it wasn’t just musically, but liturgically as well, the music director said.
After worship, the pastor invited Xu to give the instrument a try. He remembered a Bach prelude from his piano lessons. Xu described it as “love at first sight.” “I learned all the skills an organist needs to be a professional,” he said. “That was a great experience, and I am grateful.”Xu admires The Woodlands congregation for its dedication to outreach, inclusivity and welcoming presence in the community.