Abigail Coates Wins the Cake Raffle

Meet the winner of our Cake Maestra raffle! For high school senior, choir member, and aspiring organist Abigail Coates, an affinity for music and love of the church began in early childhood.  The piano was Abigail’s first love; interest in the organ—somewhat unexpected—would not come until much later.  In Abigail’s own words, “The Holy Spirit had plans for me to play organ all along, but I certainly did not!”

Drawing inspiration from the instrument that has literally struck a chord with Abigail, Cake Maestra Joy Schreier will design and construct the cake in the shape of a pipe organ, to be presented and enjoyed at Abigail’s organ recital on June 17 at St. Louis Church. In an email interview, Abigail reveals how she came to play the organ, plans for future study, and her reaction to winning the Cake Maestra raffle.  

What led to your decision to take up the organ—who or what inspired you to choose it? How many years have you been playing?

Before we moved to Maryland in December 2019, we had lived in Springfield, Missouri for 14 years. My mom and dad started me in piano when I was three years old. Besides piano, I was always involved in our church and learned to love being at church. Going to mass and helping with mass became part of the essence of my life. Church, home, and music. That was my life. And I loved it. 

I was often asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I would answer unhesitatingly, “A mother!” If pushed, I would explain that until I became a mother, I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. And no, I would explain, I did not want to study music in college. However, many people told me that I should study music in college and that I was going to learn organ. Organ?! I knew nothing about organs or even if I liked them. No. I wanted to teach kindergarten. 

Then, the move to Maryland. The whole move is story after story of God leading us on a  just-short-of-miraculous level. Once here, I met the St. Louis organ. It was not like anything I had imagined. It was full and rich and glorious. Not long after that, I decided I didn’t want to be a kindergarten teacher. But what could I do? I was only a junior, but in terms of a career path, I was lost. 

My mother, combining my two favorite things, suggested church music as a potential field. I loved the idea. We began looking into how to become a church musician, and then things really took off. I could see that God was leading me in this direction and that this was where I wanted to go. Everyone said that organ is essential and that I should study organ in college. Dr. McDonnel, a professor at Catholic University,  advised, “You need to start organ. This week.” He also recommended that I aim for Peabody–auditions were only a year away. In the course of a few short weeks, I went from being a piano student to a very busy organ student of Dr. Lynn Trapp. In February, I auditioned successfully for admission into Peabody. Sometimes, God can work very subtly in our lives. But sometimes He makes his hand abundantly obvious!

 Do you plan to be a professional organist?  If so, in what capacity?

Oh, yes!! I don’t know what plans God has for the future, but I’m pretty sure playing organ at church plays a big part in those plans!

What is your favorite organ piece? 

That’s hard! I’m still discovering all the gems the organ world has to offer. My favorite piece I’m playing currently is a Chorale Prelude on Lobe den Harren (Praise to the Lord) by Walther, a German Baroque composer. 

We understand that you would like Cake Maestra to make a pipe organ cake for you that will be served to guests at your organ recital.  Can you share some details about the recital? 

Fr. DeAscanis has graciously allowed me to have my recital at St. Louis. It will be on June 17 and will feature a varied program of organ works–ranging from pieces written by composers of the Baroque period to 20th and 21st century composers.

What was your reaction to winning the Cake Maestra raffle?

I am touched and totally overwhelmed by all the people who put my name on their tickets. The whole choir did, and many other people besides. I am utterly overwhelmed by the way St. Louis and the St. Louis music community have just adopted me like one of their own. We’ve only been here two and a half years. The home I have found in St. Louis blows me away.

What’s your favorite cake flavor?

Anything I can put lots of vanilla frosting on. I mean LOTS of vanilla frosting. I probably most prefer yellow or white cake, just as long as it has plenty of frosting!