Worcester AGO Official Blog - Happenings about Pipe Organs and Organists

THE CONSOLE
OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE WORCESTER CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS

BLOG DIRECTORY (TABLE OF CONTENTS) (bear with us while we organize the topics - there have been requests to categorize these entries)

Last Updated	Topic Area
10/19/2010	Among Our Members
7/20/2010	2010 National AGO Convention in Washington DC
10/20/2010	WorcAGO Chapter News
1/16/2011	Church-Music-Related Announcements (area workshops, etc.)
7/29/2010	Worcester Local Music News & Events
8/12/2010	Recent Concerts (Pictures, reviews, information)
11/1/2010	News from the Internet about Organs and topics of interest to musicians
	News about Local Churches and Organizations
7/29/2010	Humor (fwiw)

4/5/2011 - Congratulations to First Place Winner Jennifer McPherson

Jen won First Place at the local Boston-Springfield (Worcester had no entrants) RCYO "Quimby" competition held 4/2 at All Saints/Ashmont (1995 Fisk: III/52).

She played:

Bach Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 550
Allegro Vivace (scherzo movement) from Symphony in D Minor, Vierne (Symphony 1)
"Octaves" from David Briggs' Concert Etudes

We wish her the best in Morristown at the Regional competition this summer, and then on to the nationals in Nashville in 2012.

Jen at Mechanics Hall in August 2010.

4/4/2011 - First Mondays Open Loft at Mechanics Hall - see pictures

4/3/2011 - See pictures from area concerts

3/27/2011 (Our Own) Peter Krasinski Is Not So Silent At the Consoles

Many upcoming silent film theater organ accompaniments are on tap for this Master Improviser:

Sunday, April 3, 2011 10:00 AM
Featuring the Music of Duke Ellington
The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul,Boston
http://www.stpaulboston.org/home.asp

Saturday, April 9, 2001,7:00 PM
THE GENERAL starring Buster Keaton
United Congregational Church of Holyoke
http://www.uccholyoke.org/concertSeries.html

Saturday, April 30, 2011 8:00 PM
THE KING OF KINGS (1927) Cecil B. DeMille's Master Piece.
Methuen Memorial Music Hall

3/24/2011 (Our own) Robin Dinda Selected to premiere organ concerto in Region IV Convention

Selected along with three other composers, Robin Dinda will particpate in the extraordinary opportunity to premiere his new organ concerto at the 2011 Region IV convention in Greensboro, NC this summer. His Concerto No. 1 is for organ and string orchestra (complemented with a string quartet of soloists). The work, which includes a flashy, nearly constantly active pedal part, unlike most organ concertos, stronly recalls the pacing and inspiration of the great Romantic piano concertos, particularly those of Tschaikovsky and Rachmaninoff, and is in a harmonic language that most closely resembles the earlier part of the 20th century. John Alexander will be the organ soloist. The work was commissioned by Wayne Leupold Editions and The Leupold Foundation. The premiere instrument is a 1982 C. B. Fisk III/61

Robin speaks of his new work:

I wrote it out of a sense of frustration that whenever I played with an orchestra I did not have a concerto of my own. It's designed to be flashy and virtuosic but also audience-pleasing; it resembles the organ concerto that Rachmaninoff should have written. Each of the three movements has a (written-out) cadenza.

3/23/2011 Welcome Lunch for Graeme McCullough

3/7/11 First Monday Open Loft: Holy Family (St Joseph's), Worcester

See Blog picture gallery

3/5/11 Worcester City Manager's Office is planning a 9/11/11 outdoor memorial concert, mostly choral

Local choruses of all ages are being invited to participate to honor the memory of 9/11

3/3/2011 PETER J. GOMES DIES AT AGE 68 - May 22, 1942–February 28, 2011

(Globe Article) (NYT Article: "A Leading Voice Against Intolerance") (Wikipedia Bio) ( (2008) Video segment of Peter on Colbert Report (Comedy Channel) promoting his book)

(local connection: Peter was the guest preacher for the 1980 annual Worcester AGO service and pastor/organist dinner which was held at Chestnut Street Congregational Church.)

AGO National Chaplain (1979–1981) and Distinguished Minister of Harvard University’s Memorial Church Remembered

NEW YORK CITY—The American Guild of Organists (AGO) is saddened by the death of the Rev. Dr. Peter J. Gomes on Monday, February 28, 2011, in Boston. Peter Gomes enjoyed a distinguished career at Harvard University as the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at the School of Divinity and the Pusey Minister of Memorial Church. He was also an organist who announced, “When I am certain University Church is locked and [the music director] is not in evidence, I make my way to Appleton Chapel and ‘have at’ the mighty Fisk therein.” He died on Monday of complications from a stroke, according to a statement from Harvard University officials.

“Peter Gomes was a great friend to sacred musicians,” declared the Rev. Dr. Victoria R. Sirota, canon pastor and vicar of the congregation at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, and author of Preaching to the Choir: Claiming the Role of Sacred Musician (Church Publishing, 2006). Dr. Sirota was AGO National Chaplain from 1998 to 2002 and was mentored by Gomes during her student years at Harvard Divinity School. She said, “He held the [sacred music] profession in high esteem and gave all of us in the AGO wonderful advice, support, and inspiration over the years as our chaplain and friend.”

Speaking of his distinguished legacy in the pulpit, Dr. Sirota stated, “I believe that Peter Gomes was a wonderful preacher—not only because he had a fine intellect, a thoughtful and well-grounded theology, a deep faith, and a delightful sense of humor—but also because he, himself, was an organist. His mother was a conservatory-trained pianist. He understood the way in which great music and inspired texts complement each other in a service, and also understood how dynamic shifts, changes in tempo, color, and cadence can make the words come alive.” Gomes had a personal and unique understanding of both the spoken word and the power of song; he was chairman of the editorial committee for The Harvard University Hymn Book, Fourth Ed. (Harvard University Press, 2007). “He was brilliant at improvising at a sermon,” she added.

“But what I will most remember about Peter Gomes was the courage he exhibited on the steps of Harvard’s Memorial Church in November 1991. In the midst of great turmoil over fundamentalism, the Bible, and homosexuality, he spoke honestly and authentically as ‘a man of God who happened to be gay.’ In that moment, by risking his position and using his influence, he became a prophet for our times. The truth he lifted up is still reverberating in Harvard Square and around the world. He will be greatly missed.”

An American Baptist minister, Peter Gomes was named one of America’s top preachers by Time magazine in 1979, and assumed the role of AGO National Chaplain the same year. He participated in the inauguration of two U.S. Presidents. The recipient of thirty-three honorary degrees and author of numerous books, his most recent literary contributions are The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What’s So Good About the Good News? (2007), and Strength for the Journey: Biblical Wisdom for Daily Living (2004). His New York Times best-selling books include The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart (2002) and The Good Life: Truths That Last in Times of Need (2003). In addition, he published eleven volumes of sermons and numerous articles and papers.

Gomes’s most recent address to the AGO was given during the 2006 National Convention in Chicago. At the opening convocation, he called upon “the consideration of Holy things.” In his rich, vibrant, baritone voice, he declared, “I say that we are at our best when we worship . . . when we are engaged in the liberation of that which is already within us that might be called the ‘muse,’ or the ‘spirit,’ then we have called to life a slumbering soul, given voice and expression to that which is already there, and we help shape and form and direct it. That is why we are among God’s chosen and holy ones on earth; we allow this to happen by sharing our skills and talents with others. We do it in the performance of the greatest and most glorious music that there is, but we also do it when we enable a small congregation to sing well the hymns of Zion. We are at our best when at worship we realize that what we have, what we are, what we can do is all offered in the service of something, someone, greater than we are. Thus to our profession belong such words as reverence, awe, majesty, beauty, and inspiration: those are our words, and understanding what they mean suggests that we understand that we too are holy, as the one who calls us is holy, and that the work we perform is holy.”

A vigil in memory of Peter Gomes will be held at Harvard University’s Memorial Church today from 8:45 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. For further information, visit www.memorialchurch.harvard.edu.

2/20/2011 Congratulations to Frank Corbin on the occasion of his new appointment in Ipswich - CB Fisk II/23

From the church's newsletter:

We are happy to announce the appointment of Dr. Frank Corbin as Organist and Choirmaster of Ascension Memorial Church, Ipswich. Frank comes to us from Worcester, Massachusetts where he has served at Director of Chapel Music at Assumption College since 1989. In addition, he also teaches piano, organ and music theory in Assumption’s Department of Fine Arts and is Chair of the college’s concert series. Frank holds many degrees in the musical arts including a Doctor of Musical Arts and Performer’s Certificate from Eastman School of Music, as well as performance degrees from Oberlin College, University of Cincinnati and Concordia University, Montreal.

Frank has been a top prize winner in both national and international competitions, and has received praise for his recent recording of the Organ Works of César Franck.

Frank is looking forward to relocating in Ipswich and becoming a part of our parish community. He will begin serving as our parish Organist and Choirmaster March 1st.

2/19/2011 New Arrival in David Moulton's Family!

We are delighted to announce the birth of David's son, Thomas Merrill Moulton, born at 9:33pm on Tuesday, February 15.
At birth, he was 22 inches long, and he weighed in at 10 pounds, 0 ounces.

2/7/2011 First Monday Open Loft: Immaculate Conception, Worcester See Blog picture gallery

1/9/2011 Welcome Graeme McCullough, new Organist & Dir of Music at All Saints

Today was Graeme's second official Sunday in his new position at All Saints, ending the day with their annual Epiphany Lessons and Carols Evensong, an exquisitely performed service.
Graeme (pronounced "Graham")had been interim (since Nov 7) at All Saints and was one of the three finalists for the permanent position, and his work there thus far had been so well accepted that the schedules were moved forward more quickly than anticipated and he was formally offered the position after the first of the year. Some 75 applicants from as far as South Africa, England, and Australia had applied, but not that many qualified to have all the skills and experience required for the position. Graeme hails from Belfast, Ireland, and at age 18, he won the organ scholarship at Exeter College, University of Oxford, where he studied organ with David Sanger and conducted the college choir at three services each week. He was Vicar Choral at Wells Cathedral where he served as substitute conductor and organist for rehearsals and services and taught music in the Wells Cathedral School (one of four specialist music schools in the UK). He is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists and a graduate of Oxford University. He has also been baritone soloist in London concerts and BBC 3 broadcasts, including world premieres of works by Sir John Tavener, John Harvey and others, under the direction of Martin Neary. Graeme comes to All Saints Worcester from All Saints Church Fulham, London.
He's a great choral guy as well as improviser and service musician. He is currently commuting from Cambridge (Mass!), where his wife is working toward her degree in Sociology.
Welcome Graeme!

12/16/2010 Our Sympathy and Prayers for David Hagberg and his family for the loss of David's father Ken Hagberg

Ken Hagberg of Princeton died peacefully at home with UMass Memorial Home Health and Hospice Care on December 13, 2010, at age 81.
Ken, along with David (and Andrew too) was a piano techician, and you may have seen recent articles about Ken's maintenance of Princeton's clock tower clock for almost 50 years. The service is at Trinity Lutheran Worcester Saturday 12/17/10, and music will include choir (Darke "In the Bleak Midwinter" and David Hagberg's arrangement of "Jesus Christ the Apple Tree" composed for the Trinity choir some years ago), piano (Janine Baker), Peter Hughes (Violin), and trumpet (Andrew, his grandson).

More info: /telegram/obituary.aspx?n=kenneth-n-hagberg&pid=147113536

1/3/2011 First Monday Open Loft St John's Sutton See Blog picture gallery

12/15/2010 WorcAGO-Mechanics Hall Annual Christmas Concert See Blog picture gallery (and audio excerpts!).

11/13/2010 POW - Pipe Organ Workshop for Beginners - Brenda Caldwell See Blog picture gallery.

11/12/2010 The Mark of Zorro with Peter Krasinski at the Mighty Aeolian-Skinner, All-Saints See Blog picture gallery.

11/1/2010 Our Lady of the Angels with Michelle Graveline and Barclay Wood demonstrating/presenting See Blog picture gallery.

10/4/2010 Holy Cross Open Loft - see picture gallery

9/26/2010 WorcAGO Festival Convocation Service - ORGANic SUCCESS - see picture gallery

About 30 members attended a huge festival convocation service that featured Kodaly's Laudes Organi, an address by Rev Richard F. Jones ("The Lost Chord"), festival hymns written by WorcAGO members (with fanfares, interludes, descants, and timpani), and a lively reception featuring "Pipes on Broadway" entertainment, and a choral music giveaway.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS

10/26/2010 While Jim's Away, Former Scholars Will Play

In the second of this year's Holy Cross Chapel Artists Series, our own Brett Maguire performed a stunning concert of Fantasias - a creative collection from pre-Baroque to contemporary. We got quite the tour of the spectrum of tonal colors the Taylor and Boody has to offer. Jim Christie is on sabbatical in France this fall.

Photos by Dr Charles Paquette

10/19/2010 Farewell to Debra Lebrun

We congratulate Debra on her new position at Raleigh Court United Methodist Church in Roanoke VA.
Debra has been a member of WorcAGO since 1986, and has been at her current church , the Congregational Church of Littleton, for 24 years.
She is moving south for warmer weather and was attracted to the wonderful music wing of her new church and the fact that this is a full-time position: separate rehearsal rooms for bells, children, adults (tiered seating), a music library room, her own office, and a pipe organ expansion program in progress that she’ll be helping plan and implement. They currently have a 2-manual 1965 Moller on which she’ll be hitting the ivories running for All Saints and the Advent/Christmas season.

Fond memories, and best wishes, Debra!

10/17/2010 - "27th" Anniversary Celebration for Ronna Davis

A grand celebration service, honors, and lunch for Ronna (Archbold) Davis (past dean of WorcAGO) was held Sunday at First Church Sterling for her "25+2" years as Organist-Director (sometimes church wheels are a little delayed!). Her title has been renamed to Minister of Music which they conferred on her yesterday and gave her a stole that she can wear for services.A tribute song was written for Ronna to be sung to Crusader's Hymn (below). Congratulations Ronna!

To be sung to the tune ''Fairest Lord Jesus"

Fair is her man-ner, leader of our choi-r,
Ronna, once Archbold and now Davis.
Ronna we hon-or, Ronna we cher-ish.
Her talents and her warmth stave us.

For just a part-time job, Ronna gives heart and soul,
to help us worship and lift our hearts.
She nurtures young voices. She strengthens shy voices.
She helps us all to sing our parts.

Fair are her organ tones; fair, too, her piano.
She plays them both 80-glor'iously.
Brings in the trum-pets, handbells, french horns & flutes,
Conducting all so wond'rously.

For twenty-five and two years has she given to
First Church in Sterling her many gifts.
Ronna is welcoming. Ronna is mentoring.
Our spirits and our strains she lifts.

So we do want to thank Ronna, and let her know
how she has ministered to us all.
He rtitle from this day, minister of music
shows all that it's her divine call.

10/16/2010 In Memoriam, Hedi Kay

Longtime WorcAGO member Hedi Kay, 90, also known as Hedwiga (Swiacki) Kochanowski, died Sunday, Oct. 10th, 2010, in the Oakwood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Webster, after an illness.
Hedi had an extensive career in music. She was a music teacher for many years for the Dudley-Charlton School District and also with the Tantasqua Regional School District. She was the Organist/Soloist for St. Anne's Shrine in Sturbridge for 50 years. She also was a Organist/Soloist with her home parish, St. Hedwig's Church in Southbridge. Her professional singing career included singing with the New York Oratorio Society Chorus in concert presentations at Carnegie Hall, and various vocal soloist performances. She was invited to sing with the US Military Band at West Point and with the Capital Military Band in Washington, D.C.. Hedi sang locally with the Old Sturbridge Village Singers and also with the Golden Harmonizers. She also provided music for religious services at the former Providence House Nursing Home.

She organized and directed the 300 voiced women's chorus of the Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs, and served as State Chairman. She was a member of the Massachusetts Retired Teachers Association; a member, and past State President of the Music Teachers National Association; a member of the Mass. Federation of Polish Women's Clubs; an Emeritus member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Listed in "Who's Who in America", World "Who's Who of Women", and International "Who's Who in Music."

Her funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, Oct. 28th, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Hedwig's Church, Everett St., Southbridge. There are no calling hours

10/14/2010 - Farewell Impromptu Lunch for Deb Lebrun and Peter Berton

10/6/2010 - Our Sympathy in the death of F. Kenwood Jones (Richard Jones' father; Betty Jones' brother)

A private committal service was held on 9 October in East Brookfield for F Kenwood Jones, 96, who died October 1 at the home of his grand-niece and loving care-giver, Kim LaVergne Black, in Sturbridge. A public memorial service will be held at 3pm on Sunday, November 7 at the First Unitarian Church, Worcester where Mr. Jones sang in the choir while in high school and college. A tenth generation Quaker, and an early member of the former Worcester Player’s Club, Mr. Jones’ first passion was the theater. Later in life, he was active in the First Congregational Church of Spencer, which he served in many capacities, as a member of the choir, as a deacon, and as a representative to the former Worcester County Ecumenical Council.

CHURCH-MUSIC-RELATED ANNOUNCEMENTS

March 5 at Murray UU church in Attleboro, MA: the 10th Ballou Channing District Music Conference. Dick Hill has been putting together an amazing day: 8.30am registration and social time, 9am worship, 9.30am-3pm workshops, lunch, choral repertoire reading session, and closing worship.
Workshops include:

Children’s Music – Philip Jones, Christ Congregational Church (UCC) Brockton
Organ Repertoire - Dr. Steven Young, Bridgewater State University
Copyright Protection - Steven Finner, St. Johnsbury, Vermont
Empowering the Choral Singer - Anne Watson Born, First Unitarian Society in Newton
Ring Out Wild Bells - Richard Hill, Unity Church, North Easton
Singing Meditation - Mary Neumann, Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church

AGO GENERAL NEWS (NATIONAL/REGIONAL/CHAPTER)

10/20/2010 BOSTON AGO - 2014 NATIONAL CONVENTION HOST

As alluded in our convention report from DC, Salt Lake City had to pull out of the running for the 2014 convention, and Boston has now officially signed up to host the convention. They just hosted last year's regional, and have a dual POE in the summer of 2011 - our neighbors are busy!

9/26/2010 FREE CHORAL MUSIC LEFT FROM RECEPTION GIVE-AWAY

Only a few people seemed interested in the choral music (donated by Malcolm, see 8/8 entry below) - quite a range from jr choir to Unison to easy SAB and more difficult SATB titles.

8/8/2010 FREE CHORAL MUSIC IN SHREWSBURY!

For Worcester AGO Members,

The music librarian for the First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury is housecleaning! This summer, we're cleaning and inventorying our library -- first time it's been touched in years. As such, we have a ton of music that we're looking to give to another choir (church, community, school, whatever). There's actually enough there such that several organizations could benefit. Secular and sacred -- unison, SATB, SAB, SSA, some books & cantantas. Right now, I'm looking for choral directors who want to come and pick through it and take what they'll use -- take as much or as little as you want, but please don't just declare that you'll take it all.

If you're interested in coming and having a look, please email Christina White for times when she'll be there next week and other specifics. When you email her, please also let me know what choir you represent just so we can get a clear picture of where our music is going. Please do not contact the church office -- the church secretary cannot help you as she is not part of the process. Christina can be reached at: KatatonicState@gmail.com.
-- Submitted by WorcAGO member Malcolm Halliday

7/18/2010 WorcAGO Membership Drive Status: - About 30% have renewed. We need 90% to be eligible for the national AGO contest. Please save our volunteers calling you on the phone (altho we'd like to say hello, we have a ton of work to do for the chapter)

6/10/2010 CHORAL MUSIC SCORE SETS FOR $1 EACH - Information moved to/summarized here

Summary of AGO-logistics-related topics mentioned at various points during the 2010 DC convention...

Last winter, national conducted an online survey of members to understand better everyone's wishes and hotbuttons for the guild. James Thomashower presented a great futures "workshop" session and conveyed just a few of the some 1000 comment items that were sent in. It's heartening to know that the national folks are listening and trying!
Here's a copy of the links from national web site, interesting skim-reading:
National will likely be taking over dues collections and provide "paper" as well as online registration/renewals and then send the chapters' portions to each chapter, perhaps direct deposit! Altho most welcomed this, there were a few diehard chapters that still wanted control over collections.
There are two "contest"-like initiatives that national membership folks are conducting, we (Worcester) are signed up for both!
- Those chapters who have 90% (or more) renewals posted to national by Sept 1 will be entered into a contest (three $500 prizes, each chapter is entered into one of three contest categories depending on chapter size, we'll be competing in the largest-chapter-size category). Altho verbal answers to my questions were answered, there are still detailed quesitons that are seemingly not set about the contest, in particular,
  - for the "Sept 1" deadline, it seems to be that the chapter must postmark the envelope containing the renewals and check by midnight;
  - it seems that "renewals" really means the total number of full (regular, etc.) members on the books (renewals+new members as compared with last year's total national members on the books).
  - How do duals count? What if a previous member has died or moved away how does that count in the 90% calculation?
- For a $1500 lottery contest, chapters (all in one contest, regardless of chapter size) will be entered if they complete the process of contacting all members who did not renew in one of the two previous membership years. By signing up for this contest, we automatically got a $25 credit coupon for our national dues, and we already have lists (as generated by us) for the last three renewal periods that we've already emailed - so hopefully some of those will respond to our emails and save us a phone call.
There's continued "talk" about combining Regions I and II into one Region. There are many savings (financially as well as personnel) to be had, altho some feel we'll lose our "identity". Note that throughout the years, we have often combined efforts in terms of Regional conventions, etc. There are 4000 members in Regions I (19 chapters) & II (30 chapters) (out of 20,000 total AGO members everywhere)
There was quite a bit of excitement and marketing for both Morristown 2011, and Nashville 2012. We're hoping this blog can give you a taste of some of what happens at a convention to get you motivated to get off the bench and sign up!
Boston is sponsoring a dual Advanced POE - Performance Students (quota: approx 20) as well as OrganBuilding Students ("technical") (quota: approx 12) for the third week of July, 2011. They are seeking volunteers to help with various venue/concert logistics.
Christian Lane is the chair, and is already busily arranging housing and instructors (Higgs, Jacobs, Chris Young, etc.), as well as the application/audition process for students. For instance, Fisk will be a major home for the organbuilding track as well as Spencer and Nelson Barden. A major attraction will be students being able to help at some level with the installation of the new Fisk at Harvard Memorial Chapel.
Since the inception of the concept in 1999 (by our own Peggy Kelley Reinburg), there have been 228 students attending 70 POEs (thru 2009) (there are another 10 this summer!). To support these, AGO chapters have raised over 50K in scholarships and 260K in grants. Typically instructors do not get paid except for expenses, so our hats off to the many teachers who've donated their vacation time to help our next generations!
Salt Lake City had to pull out of the running for the 2014 convention, and two chapters (one is Boston) were contacted to determine interest. It's short notice, but Boston especially has had recent experience (2009 regional) and hopefully energies are not drained!
The ALBERT SCHWEITZER ORGAN FESTIVAL will be held September 10-12, 2010 at the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, CT - including a kickoff celebration concert Fri 9/10 7:30pm with performers Charles Callahan, Fredereick Hohman, and Joyce Jones on their Austin IV/62; and on Saturday a National Competition for Young Organists, and Sunday a masterclass. See ASOF info.

AMONG OUR MEMBERS - APPOINTMENTS, SYMPATHY, GOINGS-ON send member news to:

9/30/2010 - All Saints Changing of the Chord

(From All Saints Newsletter) Peter Berton’s Farewell - Sunday, October 3 - Please join us in All Saints Huntington Hall following the 10:30 service to say our goodbyes to Peter. Those wishing to send cards or notes to Peter and his family should send or bring them to the church, and we will present them to him then.

New Interim Music Directors Welcome to Interim Music Directors Brian Jones, and then Graeme McCullough. After the departure of our Director of Music Peter Berton, on October 3—and please join us during and after the 10:30 service that day as we bid him farewell—we will welcome two interim directors of music successively. From October 4 through November 7, Brian Jones, the emeritus director of music of Trinity Church, Copley Square in Boston, and the director of The Copley Singers will be our interim director of music. And from November 8 through January 9, Graeme McCullough will step in as our interim. Graeme is from Belfast, Northern Ireland and has been an organist, choir director and vocalist in Belfast, University of Oxford, Wells Cathedral, and for the past eight years as director of music at All Saints Church, Fulham, London. He and his wife Beth and two young daughters have moved to Massachusetts to enable her to pursue her Ph.D. at Harvard.

8/28/10 - WorcAGO Scholarship Recipient Andrew Hagberg at U Mich

Andrew Hagberg will be studying organ at the University of Michigan with Marilyn Mason and James Kibbee. He also made it into the UM Marching Band on trumpet! Back on the home fronts, the Hagbergs now have TWO house organs in their parlor! We’ll have to plan another “progressive” concert/social hour in the Sterling/Clinton area to visit them again.

8/17/2010 - from JAMES DAVID CHRISTIE - SABBATICAL UPDATE

I am leaving for Paris, France on September 9th for a four-month sabbatical from Holy Cross. Jennifer McPherson, the Holy Cross Organ Scholar of the class of 2013, will be in charge while I am away. Two of my former organ students will substitute for me as organist with the Boston Symphony during the four months that I am away and three former Holy Cross Organ Scholars, Sean Redrow, Brett Maguire, and Jeffrey Wood, will perform on the fall portion of the Holy Cross Chapel Artists Series. For my sabbatical, I have been invited to be guest professor of organ at the Paris Conservatory and I will be doing research on women organist-composers from the death of César Franck (1890) to ca. 1950. Two days after I arrive in Paris, I travel on the TGV to Bordeaux where I will be teaching a week-long seminar and master classes on French Baroque music, Sweelinck, and Buxtehude (in French!) and giving a concert on the monumental five-manual Dom Bedos organ at the Church of Ste. Croix, built around 1744 and beautifully and faithfully restored in 1996 by Pascal Quorin. (And, yes, I will be having lots of great Bordeaux wines on this trip: St. Emilion, St. Estephe, Margaux, Pomerol, etc!). I will also be giving another 10 concerts during my time abroad including three complete performances of Bach's Art of Fugue at Reims Cathedral, the Musée des Augustins in Toulouse and Paris. I have trips for concerts and musicological research planned in Amsterdam, Brussels, Saarbruecken, Venice, Rome, Vienna, and possibly Russia (it is rather far to go for only one concert). My final concert will take place on the Tuesday Evening Artists Series at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, on December 14th, with a program of music for Advent that will conclude with Max Reger's monumental Chorale Fantasy and Fugue on "Wachet auf!" Most Sunday mornings will be spent visiting the organ lofts of Paris followed by lunch with my organist friends at the various churches and cathedrals. I return to Worcester on December 20th, just in time for Christmas, and look forward to seeing everyone in 2011 at the Holy Cross organ concerts of Renée Anne Louprette (St. Ignatius, NYC) and Balint Karosi (First Prize winner of the J. S. Bach International Organ Competition).

8/16/2010 - PETER STOLTZFUS-BERTON ACCEPTS POSITION IN CONNECTICUT

It is with sadness that we learn of Peter's departure (Oct 3) after seven successful years at All Saints Worcester in growing their choral and concert programs there. He has accepted the position of Music Director of St. John's Episcopal Church in West Hartford, Connecticut (Austin Op 2761). Brian Jones will substitute for five weeks, followed by an interim director. Peter has planned an incredible Sacred Music Series for 2010-11 which will continue as planned. Peter has continued the fine tradition of Anglican music, boy and girl choirs, choir tours, choir recordings, and brought All Saints into the internet age with a well stocked web site as well as an array of midi interfaces and a long-range restoration/maintenance plan for their Aeolian-Skinner.

Peter writes:

After seven years, my family and I have decided to leave Worcester, over the coming year, in a transition to a new position which will also provide well for us financially, and (incidentally) put us 60 miles closer to our parents' families as we plan to increase our own, with excellent schools. It has been a joy and privilege to re-grow the fine choral tradition at All Saints, with the support of so many of you. Additionally, it has been possible through generous donations from choir alumni and a grant from Worcester's Fuller Foundation, to undertake the consulting phase of a comprehensive approach to restoring All Saints's famous Aeolian-Skinner organ.

Many would be pleased to stay and work while this continued to unfold, and yet I find myself at a crossroads I know some of you have come to in your own lives, when a new opportunity presents itself at a critical time. Part of my overall calling, I feel, is not to grow and maintain one program of All Saints's caliber, but rather to help develop more programs of this sort, in the English intergenerational choir tradition which is increasingly a model in America yet which also can be elusive to implement. The more such programs there are, the better off all programs are, and I think it important for me to move on to others in need of what has been done here. The timing is correct in that All Saints has again a strong choral foundation and the opportunity to ensure the organ's future as part of a capital campaign being planned for 2011.

WorcAGO will bid farewell to Peter at our Sept 26 Convocation Service, with his service postlude - Vierne: Final from Symphony 1

8/14/2010 LUCIA CLEMENTE FALCO - HOLY FAMILY

Congratulations to Lucia in her new position as Director of Music, Holy Family Parish(formerly St. Joseph's Church+ Notre Dame+ Holy Name of Jesus (thus the three church names form the Holy Family! all from the French tradition)). For 20+ years she was at United Congregational which had its last formal service on June 27, 2010. St Joe's Casavant Op 1239 will continue in fine tradition.

7/21/2010 MARIAN ROGERS MOVES TO NASHUA NH

We have recently recieved a note from Marian Daulton Rogers, a long time member of the Worcester chapter. She has relocated from Worcester to Nashua NH. Though she can no longer be an active member (at age 93), she says that she has enjoyed "The Worcester Organist"as well as news from the chapter, and will miss the fellowship of active musicians. We certainly wish her well.

7/13/2010 OUR SYMPATHY TO WILMA VANDERBAAN

Wilma VanderBaan's husband passed away on July 8, 2010 at his home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Graveside services, with Full Military honors will be held on Fri. July 16, at 10:30am in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Linwood Ave., Whitinsville. Calling hours are Thursday, 2-4 and 6-8pm in Buma Funeral Home 480 Church St., Whitinsville. He was very supportive of Wilma's musical endeavors. Our prayers and healing wishes go to Wilma and her family. Wilma is an honorary lifetime member of the Worcester Chapter.

6/21/10 CONGRATULATIONS TO ROBIN DINDA - TWO NEW COMPOSITIONS PUBLISHED

Two pieces by our own Robin Dinda are being published this month by Wayne Leupold Editions.

Kiya Pup Strut is an organ solo in New York Stride style, and is a tribute to James P. Johnson and Thomas "Fats" Waller, the two outstanding stride pianist/composers.

Rossini's Overture to The Barber of Seville is arranged for two organists at one organ.

6/7/10 CONGRATULATIONS TO LOIS TOEPPNER - NEVADA CONCERT

Lois Toeppner, long-time WorcAGO member, 1999 Region I Convention Chair, and recently re-elected National Secretary, was invited to perform at the University of Nevada on the von Beckerath pipe organ with the Myron Heaton Chorale in celebration of their 20th anniversary on May 22, 2010. Included in the festival concert was 30 minutes of solo organ, followed by organ and choir - she accompanied 3 choral anthems and premiered a newly commissioned work by Gwyneth Walker.

Lois appearing with Spencer (bench left) and Gwyneth Walker (bench center)

Lois competing with Judge Judy "on the bench"
(Photos supplied by Lois Toeppner)

April, 2010 OUR SYMPATHY TO LUCIA CLEMENTE FALCO

Over the past couple of years, Lucie has lost three beloved family members, whom you may have known also. We offer our condolences to her and Rich and their extended family.

Leona Clemente (March 2008), coloratura soprano, performed recitals and held leads in many Worcester County Light Opera productions, and was a church organist/choir director and member of our AGO chapter.
Peter "Pete" Clemente, Sr., (Feb 2009), Worcester's foremost guitarist, owner/founder of Clemente Music, where he taught and influenced many area musicians. Leona and Peter had performed and volunteered their talents for many area events.
And, this April 2010, their family lost beloved Mary Consiglio, a wonderful, loving aunt and fabulous cook!

January 2010 - IN MEMORIAM DR. ROBERT E. SEAMON - born in Worcester and former Worcester AGO member who died in a tragic car accident last Christmas Eve in NM on his way home from services in Albuquerque. Our sympathy to his family and friends.
Bob had studied organ with Fred Kinsley of Wesley and had been the organist at St. John's Episcopal when it was on Lincoln Street, and was a good friend of LeRoy's and contributed generously to the restoration of the Wesley organ in 1970 and again when the console was rebuilt a few years ago. Wesley was only one recipient of Bob's many philanthropies. He later became a nuclear physicist after receiving his doctorate from Yale. He was rather active in the church music scene in the Los Alamos, NM, area where he often played. More Information (and see our January 2010 newsletter)

Non-AGO Music-Related News/Interest

2/25/2010 Assumption Concert Series Event Canceled

CANCELED - HUMANARTS: Organist Christopher Houlihan

Tue, Mar 01, 2011 The Christopher Houlihan performance scheduled for Tuesday, March 1 has been canceled.

1/6/2011 Moller Organ Factory Annex Major Fire (Eastern Organ Pipes, Inc.) Hagerstown, MD

A stubborn fire started in a lower level of an addition on the historic M.P. Moller Pipe Organ factory in Hagerstown Thursday afternoon, spreading into the upper levels of the structure as firefighters started to bring it under control, making it increasingly difficult to extinguish, fire officials said. The fire began as workers cleaned tools in the paint spray booth at the end of the day.

http://www.herald-mail.com/breakingnews/hm-fire-reported-at-former-moller-01062011,0,6649061.story

11/5/2010 Hanover Wurlitzer Majestic Concert

The Hanover Theatre's 2400-pipe Wurlitzer organ is nearly completed and the theater hosted a special evening in celebration. Boston favorites Kathy St. George and Brian DeLorenzo, as well as organist Jonathan Ortloff, winner of the American Theatre Organ Society's 2008 Young Theatre Organist Competition, were a part of the program.

Review by Kevin Mathieu

Friday's concert was AMAZING! A near sell out crowed LOVED the organ, and we all had a good chuckle at the cipher that developed a minute into the first selection after the "Hanover March", "You've Got A Lot To See" from Fox TV's Family Guy. Jonathan stopped playing when it became apparent that the cipher would not go away and addressed the audience referring to the organ as "a toddler in its terrible twos", and "would soon grow out of its moody ways and become the grand mature instrument its meant to be". Technicians were on hand and fixed the cipher in his brief address and he resumed playing (from the top). We were given a video tour of the chambers "via satellite link" with the theatre's production manager Jon Rosbrook, and were thrilled with the multimedia presentations, starting with a trip back in time to the days of silent movies, to camera views of Jonathan's skillful playing. A taste of Broadway was included with a half dozen vocal numbers by three talented singers, Maureen Brennan, Brian De Lorenzo and Kathy St. George and Jonathan accompanying. The first vocal selection was "I Love a Piano" with Jonathan on the organ, stopping to banter with the singer about this night being about the organ not the piano, she gave a great reply of "well it wouldn't sound right if I said 'I love your organ!'" a moment later they 'had an idea' and the upright player piano was wheeled on stage with the singer on top of it and Jonathan (midi-)controlling it from the Wurlitzer! The feature presentation of Laurel and Hardy's "Liberty" was a thrill for all and masterfully accompanied by Jonathan.

The organ crew was honored with individual plaques and one to hang in the lobby of the theatre, Don Phipps in return honored the theatre's Executive Director for his support in the installation with a plaque made from wood taken from a Wurlitzer pedal rank, and the renaming of the Tuba Marabillis to "Troy's Tuba"

11/1/2010 "The Best Church (Gospel) Choir in America" - a contest sponsored by Verizon(!)

Winning choirs representing 14 cities around the country will come together for an unforgettable night of joy and praise as they vie for the title of "The Best Church Choir in America" at Verizon's How Sweet the Sound grand finale. See complete article

10/2/2010 2011 Children’s Choir Festival
The Fourth Annual Children’s Choir Festival of the Southeastern New England Chapter of Choristers Guild will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2011, at First Parish in
Norwood, Massachusetts. The festival, designed for children in Grades 3 to 8, will be led by Christine Noel, founder and artistic director of the Rhode Island Children’s Chorus.

July 29, 2010 MCC Mass State Law Signed Today

(Boston, MA)—Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill into law yesterday that allows communities to create state-sponsored cultural districts to stimulate new arts and cultural activity and attract creative businesses.
The law directs the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) to create a new program that designates local districts to “attract artists and cultural enterprises to a community, encourage business and job development, establish tourist destinations, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values and foster local cultural development.” For more go to www.massculturalcouncil.org

July 28, 2010 HANOVER WURLITZER

(Hanover Press Release) The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts is proud to announce that starting Thursday, July 29, the 35-rank Wurlitzer Pipe Organ will greet each audience during the three-performance run of Always, Patsy Cline.

Starting this Thursday, Len Beyersdorfer will play at the organ’s console to greet the theatre audience before the start of Always, Patsy Cline. The organ can also pre-record music pieces that can be stored and used for future performances. Plans are set to continue to showcase the organ before select performances at the theatre, bringing a unique theatre experience for all who attend!

The organ, comprised of 2,500 pipes, was generously donated by Donald Phipps of the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society. Phipps’ Wurlitzer is made up of parts from other organs that originated in theatres throughout the state. He reached out in 2007 to the Executive Director of The Hanover Theatre, Troy Siebels, about relocating the grand organ to the theatre. Happy to accept the generous donation, Troy said, “This is a multimillion dollar organ. We couldn’t let the opportunity pass!”

Since its first introduction to theatergoers during the 2009 performances of A Christmas Carol, Phipps has been working endlessly to install and fully restore this important treasure in the theatre. Everyone at the theatre and within the organ community is enthusiastic about both the installation and the final effect. According to Don Phipps, “Now there will be a pipe for every seat in the theatre…just imagine, when the whole thing is running, you will hear it from the other side of Federal Square!”

See Jonathan Ortloff's May 2010 convert review

NATIONAL AGO CONVENTION IN WASHINGTON, DC (JULY, 2010)

FULL REVIEWS AND PICTURE GALLERY MOVED TO HERE (by popular demand)

INTRODUCTION
It's enough to leave town when 2100+ organists invade our nation's capitol for a week, just as the tuners and technicians have put the final touches on record-breaking heat- and humidity-scorched chambers.
Over 200 solo performers and workshop clinicians presented a plethora of sound and information to educate and refresh these musicians-now-turned-audience. A 230+ page full-color spiral bound program book (a design which suspiciously mimics Worcester's 1999 Regional booklet!) along with a tote bag and badge pouch containing over a dozen tickets to various sold-out events. One hundred or so advertiser booths filled the exhibition hall which seems like a city unto itself, full of color, handouts, gimmicks, and marketing splendor. The DC convention committee is to be commended for arranging such a great variety and QUALITY of programs, venues, and information organization so that all can enjoy the week to its fullest and share in the celebration of the DC Chapter's 100th Anniversary as well as this the 50th national convention.
33 Boston Chapter members attended, and from Worcester were: Sean Redrow*, Jim Christie*, Bill Czelusniak, Brett Maguire, Peter Krasinksi, Jim Moore, Lois Toeppner*, and Will Sherwood. (* Participating in some official way)
All 50 states were represented, including 259 chapters (out of some 320 chapters of 20,000 total members) represented. Students attending on the STOPlist scholarship program: 147, and 16 foreign countries represented (91 registrants).
Ronald Stolk (chair of the convention, choirmaster of St Patrick’s Cathedral, exquisite improviser, and commander-in-chief of their magnificent Lively-Fulcher instrument) has led their chapter to produce an event that will be remembered for years!

We offer our best wishes at the 2010 National Convention by pulling out all the stops, including the ones on the above right!
Thanks to Frank Corbin for permission to use (and edit!) images from Assumption.
GREAT ORGANS OF WORCESTER 2-CD SET

FULL CONVENTION REVIEWS AND PICTURE GALLERY MOVED TO HERE

6/22/10 SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER MAKES LEMONADE FROM A SAD SITUATION

The "CHORAL MUSIC LIBRARY ALMOST-GIVEAWAY - $1 FUNDRAISER" was low in attendance but high in enthusiasm for the opportunity to expand one's church music library with sets of choral scores for $1 each. We raised a little over $200 for the Worcester AGO scholarship fund (supports students studying with local Worcester members). Sadly we learned the news that United Congregational is transitioning to a lay-led small group of parishioners. Our best wishes are with Lucia as she looks for a new church position. Their acclaimed music library, the culmination of 100 years of fine choral music in the city (Chestnut Street, Central, and some music from the early days of the Worcester County Music Association ), is being disbursed, and WorcAGO has been selected as the recipient of the scores to use as a fundraiser. The repertoire is what we would call "standard SATB & unison adult choir protestant & classical genres" (ranging in difficulty from easy unison to a few difficult 8-part titles).

Four new board members served as "babysitters" to host each of the four time periods that the music office suite was open for members who had made reservations to stop by and browse and donate. We appreciate their efforts, and especially Lucie's willingness to have her colleagues pour through what has been her resource library for some 20 years now.

Looking thru anthem boxes to find gems for their own church choirs - $1 each.
(Photos by Kevin Mathieu)

8/10/10 KEITH LOCKHART TO BECOME BBC ORCH PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR

The BBC Concert Orchestra is delighted to announce the signing of Keith Lockhart as Principal Conductor, signaling the beginning of a new era for the BBC's most versatile performing group, renowned for their dynamism in classical, jazz and light music.

T&G Article

The BBC Concert Orchestra, with Keith Lockhart, Conductor, and Ilya Yakushev, Piano

November 4, 2010 - 8:00pm

Mechanics Hall

6/22/10 WORLD NEWS - Sommarpsalm (Summer Hymn) Beautifully sung with organ & orchestra at Sweeden Royal Wedding in Stockholm Cathedral

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK8GaeVKSPw&feature=youtube_gdata

Our own Tom Ingrassia was visiting and heard an organ concert there the day following the wedding, and remarked that the wedding flowers were still in place.

RECENT CONCERTS IN WORCESTER

AUGUST, 2010

8/11/10 MECHANICS HALL SUMMER ORGAN SERIES - Young Artist Concert: "Former WorcAGO POE Graduates"

Young Artists (from the left): Katelyn Emerson, Jennifer McPherson, Griffin McMahon, Shane Murphy, Brian Hunt, John Baublitz

See young artist concert details

8/4/10 MECHANICS HALL SUMMER ORGAN SERIES - PETER KRASINSKI

HISTORIC PIPES MEET SILVER SCREEN: Peter Krasinski once again amazed his audience with intriguing verbal program notes and a delightful and skilled accompaniment to a classic silent film. Great "sound effects" for the wild west escapades and comic mishaps.

NEW MEET OLD: After the concert, Joshua Leger (Mechanics staff member) gave some budding musicians a tour of the chambers followed by an energetic demonstration of the almost 150-year-old Hook tracker.

Whoops, well these students will have to order some organ shoes.

JUNE, 2010

NEWEST ARRIVAL IN TOWN DEMONSTRATED PRIOR TO COMPLETION - THE HANOVER WURLITZER (The largest Theater Pipe Organ in New England)

Entering by the guarded stage door (no entrance password was needed--it was free!) from a hot and humid Sunday afternoon in downtown Worcester, one immediately saw the prep/technical area behind the extended stage area of the exquisitely renovated Hanover Theater - a view not many get to see. The monthly event of the Eastern Mass Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society (EMCATOS) was about to begin and the star performer of the day, Jonathan Ortloff, was greeting the audience sporting a dapper coat and tie informal concert attire. We wind our way through the catacombs of the backstage and are led to the theater seating, joining an eager 150 organ enthusiasts already seated with anticipation. The lights dim and as the trems power up with the sound of a rainstorm and the shutters fling open with clatter, the fanfares of The Hanover Theater March (composed by Leonard Beyersdorfer, an EMCATOS member and fine organist in his own right) heralded the rising of the four-manual Wurlitzer console from below, with audience goose-bumps thrilling every refurbished rank in its new home - what an incredible fortune for Worcester to have this instrument added to its fine array or organs in Central Mass. So now you can add Hanover to the list of four manual pipe organs in the central Worcester area, along with: Mechanics Hall, All Saints, Holy Cross, Wesley, 1st U, 1st B, AUD(altho currently sealed off, unplayable). The Hanover Wurlitzer is a gift from Don Phipps of New Bedford, who is leading the volunteer crew that has tackled the huge job of installing it.

Jonathan Ortloff, deservedly in the spotlight at the Mighty console, once again underscored why he was chosen as the winner of ATOS' 2008 Young Theatre Organist Competition. Well spoken verbal program notes kept the interest between pieces, and a wide variety of repertoire was artistically and stylistically performed, supercharged with his intense technique, and covered all the bases and basses: including the Hanover premier of the low octave of the Bombarde 16' just installed and one of 20 sets that Wurlitzer ever made - a welcomed low blow! The program included several delightful surprises: two Ortloff arrangements of themes adapted from Fox network's Family Guy; "Puffin' Billy" (the name of an Australian locomotive; the theme song from the 1950s-80s CBS TV show Captain Kangaroo) complete with ABABA structure; and the piece de résistance an encore which was a prepared improvisation on A-L-A-I-N (used in Durufle's Prelude and Fugue) in the style of a - are you sitting down?! - bossa nova, complete with the Durufle flourish at the end of the Fugue. Wow! Fun for all indeed!

Far from depressing, this array of tongue-depressor stop tabs underscored the Mighty-ness of the (new to us) Hanover Wurlitzer, to be premiered at the National ATOS convention in the summer of 2011.
(Photos by Will Sherwood)

Reminder to renew your AGO chapter membership!

MAY, 2010

STUDENTS PROVE TO BE ACCOMPLISHED PERFORMERS

WorcAGO's long-standing support for education and training showcased its effectiveness by the five 2009-2010 scholarship recipients at their end of the year concert at First Baptist Worcester. This concert, the last of the guild's year-long series of monthly program events, featured a wide variety of repertoire.

Many of the resources of the 4-manual Gilbert/Russell organ in 1st B's sanctuary were aptly utilized by these wonderful performers who have emerged from varying backgrounds of music degrees to younger players with piano preparation. All of these performers have more than one year's study behind them and all show good promise in their future music careers. Andrew Hagberg will matriculate at the University of Michigan as an Organ and Engineering major in the fall of 2010. All of these organists are active church musicians and perform regularly as a substitutes or hold a position. Two are studying piano tuning and one is actively doing organ repair/tuning. The reperoire included Bach, Buxtehude, Vierne, Schroeder, Jones, Pachelbel, Langlais, Young, etc. performed by (left to right, below) David Rose, Andrew Hagberg, Marcia Kidder Desilets, Dominic Richards, and Kevin Mathieu.

Congratulations on a musical and well played concert!

2009-2010 Worcester AGO Scholarship recipients at their May 2010 concert at 1st B.
(Photos by Will Sherwood)

Reminder to renew your AGO chapter membership!

MAY, 2010

NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD FRIEND - THE RE-CHRISTENING OF THE REBUILT/EXPANDED CASAVANT OP 3201

Mark Dwyer at St Michael's at the inauguration concert for the Southfield/Casavant (formerly from St. John's).
"A Musical Journey" featured works from Germany, France, England, Canada, Denmark to showcase the wide tonal resources available.

The outside temperature on this late Sunday afternoon was 85, and we won't guess what it was inside. The organ tuning held amazingly.
Ushers had a reverse-offering of over 9 cases of bottled water and small drinking cups, distributed during the concert. We were thirsty souls!
(Photos by Will Sherwood)

PIPES (VERY) ALIVE

Scott Lamlein performs the last in the 2009-2010 Wesley Methodist Pipes-Alive concert series.
The image of the face of Bach emerges on the right side of the Skinner music rack woodgrain as illuminated from the historic blue/red stained glass windows.

Scott Lamlein (piano), assisted by Brett Maguire (O/D at Wesley) perform an enjoyable organ-piano duet by Paul Halley.
Later, Scott performed a piano composition of his own to the delight of the audience.

Carillon-Sortie (Mullet) shook the rafters as the series drew to a rousing conclusion.
The mass of Wesley's Gothic stonework kept the ambient temperature a comfortable 70 degrees (outside it was a humid 82).
(Photos by Will Sherwood)

APRIL, 2010

25 Years at the Helm (and in the chambers) of 1st U's King of Instruments

Rarely performed Kodaly: Laudes Organi (In Praise of the Pipe Organ) was featured in a festival concert for pipe organ, choir, and piano on April 18, 2010.
The concert celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Will Sherwood as Director of Music/Organist at 1st U and featured him playing organ works by Bach and Durufle, a Piano Concerto by Demarest (accompanied by Brett Maguire), as well as choral compositions written by Sherwood.

The festivites noted two tributes offered in Will's honor: The rededication of the Aeolian-Skinner in his name, and the creation of the Will Sherwood Fund for Young Artists which initially had over $6000 in contributions. A champaigne and cake reception topped off the day.

Relaxing a bit after Bach on the 1964 67-rank Aeolian-Skinner/Russel/Gilbert (rebuilt after 2000 Church fire).
1st U was home to Worcester's first pipe organ.
(Photo by Betty Jenewin)

A-S facade pipes featured in the concert poster.

ADDITIONAL CONCERT INFORMATION

8/11/10 Mechanics Hall Young Artist Concert - Bios & Program

Brian Hunt
Louis-Nicolas Clérambault: Suite du deuxieme ton: Plein Jeu, Duo
Johannes Brahms: choral prelude, Herzlich tut mich verlangen
Lynnwood Farnam: Toccata on O Filii et Filiae
Brian Hunt is an 18-year old organ student from Billerica, MA. Discovering his interest in the organ later in his life, he began his organ studies only three years ago with Mrs. Permelia Sears with no prior piano training and later studied piano formally with her husband, Mr. David Sears. Brian has attended three Pipe Organ Encounters, including one held in Worcester of 2008. Throughout the last few years, he has been a substitute organist for North Billerica Baptist Church in his hometown. As he enters UMASS Amherst as a freshman this fall, he will undoubtedly pursue his organ studies further, regardless of his major.

John Baublitz
César Frank: Chorale in A minor (excerpt)
Olivier Messiaen: Apparition de l'église éternelle
John Baublitz is going into the 12th grade at Milton High School and has been studying the organ for three years and the piano for three-and-a-half years with Emma-Jean Moulton in Milton, MA. He has been interested in music since the third grade when he began taking viola lessons. He has participated in many of the programs provided by the AGO including three Pipe Organ Encounters and the Young Organists’ Initiative scholarship. John hopes to attend college for organ performance and composition.

Katelyn Emerson
Charles-Marie Widor: Allegro vivace from Symphony V, Op. 42, No. 1
Katelyn Emerson, 18, currently studies with Ray Cornils. She recently won first place in the 2010 L. Cameron Johnson National Memorial Competition for High School Organists in Storrs, Connecticut. Katelyn has performed in many concert series in the New Hampshire and Maine seacoast areas, including the Rye, NH Congregational Church Abendmusik Fine Arts Concert Series, the First Parish Church Summer Organ Concert Series in Brunswick, ME, the “Music in Market Square” summer concert series of North Church in Prtsmouth, NH, and the Summer Concert Series of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, ME. She has also performed in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City, NY and Merrill Auditorium, Portland, ME.
Next year, Katelyn will attend Oberlin Conservatory and College, dual majoring in organ performance and French. She has been accepted into the studio of James David Christie but will study with Oberlin’s Distinguished Visiting Professor of Organ, Olivier Latry, organist titulaire of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, for her first semester.

Griffin McMahon
César Frank: Chorale in A minor
Griffin McMahon is a seventeen year old organist from Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and will be entering his senior year at Longmeadow High School in the fall. Since September 2008, he has been enrolled as a scholarship pre-college student at The Juilliard School, where he studies organ with Dr. Matthew Lewis. An active member of the American Guild of Organists, Griffin is professionally certified as a Colleague of the AGO and has attended various Pipe Organ Encounter educational outreach programs. He is the current organist and choir director at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in East Longmeadow, MA, and has been playing liturgical services since the age of thirteen. Griffin began his organ studies in September 2005 with Peter Beardsley, FAGO, of Springfield, MA, and studied piano for five years with Abigail Thomsen, of Longmeadow, MA. Griffin has performed at numerous concert venues, including the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall, Carnegie Hall, Mechanic's Hall, Princeton University Chapel, and on the world famous Wanamaker Grand Court Organ at Macy's in Philadelphia. In the summers of 2009 and 2010, Griffin participated in the Kimmel Center Teen Summer Arts Pipe Organ Camp where he worked with Alan Morrison, organ professor at the Curtis Institute of Music, Nathan Laube, concert organist, and Peter Richard Conte, the Wanamaker Grand Court Organist. He has performed on the “Wanamaker Organ Hour” broadcast on WRTI and will soon perform again on the August 1st broadcast. He has also worked with notable artists such as Paolo Bordignon, Ken Cowan, Paul Jacobs, Renee Anne Louprette, and John Rose. He is a 2010 recipient of the Charlotte Hoyt Bagnall Scholarship for Church Musicians. After high school, he plans to attend college and major in organ performance.

Shane Murphy
Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and Prelude in A Minor
Shane Murphy, 16, is currently studying with Dr. Christiaan Teeuwsen at Redeemer University College. Shane recently attended the New York City Chapter of the AGO's Pipe Organ Encounter Advanced, which is a program open to high school students at an advanced level in organ performance. Shane has been guest organist at many concerts performed in both his homeland of Canada as well as in the United Statesz. He has done recitals and performances on such instruments as St. Bartholomew's Church in New York City, St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, St. James Cathedral in Toronto, and Christ the King Cathedral in Hamilton. Shane will be entering Grade 12 at Blessed Trinity Secondary School, where he accompanies a 35-voice SATB Choir. The choir has done tours in Ottawa, Toronto, New Orleans, Vienna, and will soon be performing in Scotland. Shane has been a subsitute organist for various area churches since his early teens. Shane has attended four regular POE programs and one Advanced, studying with such organists as Christopher Creaghan (New York City), Jonathon Bezdegian (New Hampshire), Christopher Houlihan (Connecticut) and Bill Degan (Connecticut). He has also performed on the organs at Yale University in New Haven, CT. Shane is a native of Ontario, Canada and hopes to continue his musical education in Montreal following schooling in Ontario.

Jennifer McPherson
Louis Vierne: Allegro Vivace and Final from Symphony I
Jennifer McPherson, from Eliot, Maine, is currently studying the organ with Prof. James David Christie. Previously she studied with Dr. Abbey Hallberg Siegfried in Portsmouth, NH, and was a founding participant of The Young Organist Collaborative of New Hampshire. Jennifer attends College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, where she is the Organ Scholar of the class of 2013 and recipient of a full tuition scholarship. In high school she was employed at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, NH as Organ Scholar. As a recitalist, she has performed as a soloist throughout New England, including at Mechanics Hall and Wesley United Methodist Church, both in Worcester. In 2009, Jennifer attended the McGill Summer Organ Academy at McGill University in Montreal, and studied continuo and improvisation with Hank Knox and Jan Overduin. She has also performed in masterclasses for Gerre Hancock, Paul Jacobs, and Douglas Major. As a vocalist, Jennifer has sung in the ACDA All- Eastern and All- National Honors Choirs, the MMEA Southern Maine Honors Music Festival and the Maine All State Honors Choir.