A great French organist and composer, Louis Vierne studied with César Franck and Charles-Marie Widor at the Paris Conservatoire. Vierne was awarded first prize in organ performance. In 1900, Vierne assumed a lifelong position of organist at the Notre Dame. Vierne enjoyed a career as a critically acclaimed performer and teacher. Vierne toured all over Europe with performances and master classes. In 1927, Vierne gave concerts in the United States. Vierne was a professor at the Schola Cantorum; his students included Marcel Dupré and Nadia Boulanger. Vierne’s six organ symphonies have been considered the highest point of the French symphonic era.